Montreal Canadiens: A Look At Former Habs Playing In The KHL

Alexander Radulov

Yes, I know obvious choice is obvious, but largely as a result of that, I refrained from talking about Radulov’s current stint in Russia in great depth. Radulov was and still is one of the biggest risks the Canadiens have ever taken in free agency, inking the former Nashville Predators star to a one-year deal worth $5 million in the 2016 off-season.

A once top line NHL player for Nashville in the late 2000s, Radulov was a first-round pick of the Preds in 2004 after posting… 61-91-152 totals over 62 games with the QMJHL’s Quebec Remparts (yes, those are real numbers). After what was simply pure domination in the KHL over his last four seasons with CSKA Moscow, posting highs of 24-47-71 totals over 46 games in 2014-15, the biggest question mark with Radulov coming into Montreal was his personality issues, which included missing curfew, having temper problems, and defying coaches players and management alike.

After Nashville completely severed ties with him following a disastrous return stint in 2011-12, he was able to reignite things alongside Max Pacioretty with the Canadiens, posting 18-36-54 totals over 76 games in 2016-17, nearly leading the Habs past the Rangers in the first round.

However, as was Marc Bergevin’s way at that time, Radulov was low-balled on his contract offer in free agency, and opted to go with the Dallas Stars instead, forming a dangerous trio alongside Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin. That being said, age eventually caught up to Radulov after back-to-back 70-point seasons and a Stanley Cup Finals appearance.

Having proved all he could prove at both levels, Radulov still led Kazan Ak-Bars to the Gargarin Cup (KHL) final last season as their leading scorer, and will likely continue to be a top-line contributor for at least the next few seasons.