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Montreal Canadiens: What If Alex Radulov Re-Signed In Montreal?

By Ken MacMillan

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 16: Alexander Radulov #47 of the Montreal Canadiens celebrtaes his goal at 15:35 of the third period against the New York Rangers in Game Three of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on April 16, 2017 in New York City. The Canadiens defeated the Rangers 3-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 16: Alexander Radulov #47 of the Montreal Canadiens celebrtaes his goal at 15:35 of the third period against the New York Rangers in Game Three of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on April 16, 2017 in New York City. The Canadiens defeated the Rangers 3-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TN – OCTOBER 12: Jamie Benn #14, Alexander Radulov #47, Jason Spezza #90, and Tyler Seguin #91  (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – OCTOBER 12: Jamie Benn #14, Alexander Radulov #47, Jason Spezza #90, and Tyler Seguin #91  (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

2017-18 Season

During Radulov’s first season in Dallas, he was placed on one of the best lines in hockey with Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn. He exploded offensively, jumping from 18 goals and 54 points with the Habs to 27 goals and 72 points with the Stars. The Stars had very little depth scoring behind this impressive trio and though they finished with 92 points, they missed the postseason.

Radulov likely would not have reached 72 points if he stayed in Montreal, but he would have at least matched his totals from the season previous. He likely would have stayed on a line with Pacioretty who had a down year as he struggled to find the right linemates without Radulov. Radulov was the perfect linemate for Pacioretty so the Habs captain likely would have scored much more than the 17 goals and 37 points in 64 games that he ended up with that year.

Also, with the addition of Jonathan Drouin and the attempt to convert him into a centre, it would have been fun to watch a line of Pacioretty – Drouin – Radulov. Still, Drouin did struggle to adapt to as a centre, Price had an awful year, Weber was injured for most it and the Habs dropped to 71 points in the standings. There is no way Radulov would have been able to make up that much of a difference to get the Canadiens into the postseason.

From a salary cap perspective, the Habs easily could have fit Radulov’s $6.25 million onto the roster. The Canadiens had more than $7 million in unused cap space that season, making it easy for them to fit in Radulov.

Though it would have been exciting to watch Pacioretty, Drouin and Radulov play together, giving the two scoring wingers a more offensive centre than Danault, it would not have made a huge impact on the franchise’s fortunes that year.

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