Radulov chose Habs for shot at the Cup
BROSSARD, Que. — Before Alexander Radulov donned his No. 47 Canadiens jersey and spoke to the Montreal media for the first time Monday, he had a more important first meeting with head coach Michel Therrien.
How the Canadiens’ defencefirst coach takes to the 30-year-old former Nashville Predator will have much to do with how their main off-season signing performs this season.
A year ago another Russian, Alex Semin, signed a one-year free-agent deal but was let go after playing himself into Therrien’s doghouse with one listless goal in 15 games.
Radulov signed a one year, $5.75-million US contract July 1.
“We talked about a lot of things, everything went well,” said Radulov. “He asked me where I like to play, left [wing] or right.
“I can play both. But I don’t care. I just want the team to win and make everybody happy.”
Semin and Radulov are both highly skilled but they are almost opposites as players and individuals. With Semin, the question was whether he’d give an honest effort on the ice. With Radulov, the concern was about off-ice behaviour.
Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin banked on the notion that an older, more mature Radulov, now a married father of one, was no longer a risk.
Some other clubs wanted Radulov, but Bergevin flew to New York to meet him and came up with the right pitch to get the big, talented winger to sign. Radulov spoke of getting a chance to contend for a Stanley Cup.
“I’m excited to be back in the NHL,” said Radulov. “To be part of Montreal is huge.
“It’s a hockey town and they always want to go on a run for the Cup and that’s the main reason I chose Montreal. This is a chance for me to play in the best league and finally get a chance to win the Cup. That’s the main thing.”
Radulov’s previous NHL experience wasn’t a shining example of commitment.
After starring in junior hockey for the Quebec Remparts, he had two promising seasons with Nashville but then bolted the final year of his entry-level contract to play for Ufa in the KHL.
He returned to Nashville for the last nine games of the 201112 campaign, but was suspended by the club when he was seen at a bar at 5 a.m. with linemate Andrei Kostitsyn the night before a playoff game. His contract was not extended and he signed with CSKA Moscow. Now he’s looking to start over. “It’s in the past,” he said. “I did what I did and there’s no point in looking back.
“Now I’m older and I have a family and my family’s really excited that we’re moving to Montreal.”