Alexander Radulov Return to NHL

Alexander Radulov left the Nashville Predators in 2011-12 to sign a four year contract with the KHL club, CSKA Moscow, for a reported $9.2 million annually. The right winger has been a point per game player in each of his four seasons with CSKA.

Last season Radulov tallied 23 goals and 42 assists in 53 games, finishing second in KHL scoring behind Metallurg’s Sergei Mozyakin. Alexander Radulov turned down multiple contract extension offers from his KHL team. The 29 year old plans to make a comeback to the NHL.

Because of Radulov’s ties to Patrick Roy, who coached the star winger in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, the Colorado Avalanche are speculated to be Radulov’s first choice. Radulov’s agent, Yuri Nikolaev, told Russian outlet Championat in May 2015, that Radulov spoke with Roy about joining the Avs in 2016-17.

Avalanche starting goaltender and fellow Russian Semyon Varlamov told Sport-Express on Friday that Colorado is “waiting for Radulov,” and Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic offered a “no comment,” when asked if Radulov is Colorado bound.

In two NHL seasons, Radulov scored 47 goals and 55 assists in 154 games. Radulov departed the NHL under unpleasant circumstances. He and teammate Andrei Kostitsyn were suspended during the Predators 2012 playoff run for violating curfew and never played another NHL game.

Radulov is also gauging interest from the Washington Capitals, Florida Panthers and Detroit Red Wings.