Radulov tops market with $31M deal from Stars
Even though it took Alexander Radulov 48 hours into NHL free agency to find a home, it was very much worth the wait.
Radulov on Monday became the richest player in a restrained market by signing a five-year, $31.25 million deal with the Dallas Stars. The 30-year-old Russian winger left the Montreal Canadiens for a contract that is worth almost $5 million more than Kevin Shattenkirk's with the New York Rangers and ties Karl Alzner's with Montreal for the longest signed by an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
"I really want five years at least on my deal," said Radulov, who will count $6.25 million against the salary cap through 2021-22. "I wanted to play and not worry about it. ... I got a long-term deal and I am happy."
As the hockey world shifted down a gear from the initial freeagent frenzy, Radulov and Ales Hemsky traded places on Day 3 of free agency as the 33-yearold winger signed a one-year, $1 million deal with Montreal. The Canadiens made a last-ditch attempt to match the Stars' offer to Radulov, who decided not to renege on his verbal agreement.
Radulov's departure makes it possible that 38-year-old defenseman Andrei Markov re-signs with Montreal, which has $15 million in cap space and must still work out a new contract for restricted free agent forward Alex Galchenyuk.
The Stars completed their offseason shopping list by getting Radulov, who was considered the top free agent forward available. They previously got a goaltender in Ben Bishop, a defenseman via trade in Marc Methot and a center in Martin Hanzal.
Elsewhere, the Washington Capitals made a depth move Monday amid their retooling process by signing former Devils winger Devante Smith-Pelly to a one-year, twoway contract worth a league-minimum $650,000. Bought out by New Jersey and now on his fourth team, the 25-year-old will be given the chance to earn a roster spot.
Detroit on Monday re-signed restricted free agent defenseman Xavier Ouellet to a two-year deal. The Red Wings bolstered their blue line Saturday by signing two-time Stanley Cup winner Trevor Daley to a three-year, $9.5 million contract.
Amid the flurry of signings on the opening weekend of free agency, a few prominent players are still looking for a team.
The leftover list is a who's who of stars from previous decades, notably Jaromir Jagr, 45, and Jarome Iginla, 40. Then there are 40-year-olds Shane Doan and Matt Cullen, and 37-yearold Mike Fisher trying to decide whether to play another year.
Jagr won't be back with Florida, and Flyers general manager Ron Hextall said he won't consider signing him for a second tour in Philadelphia.
A couple of young players worth watching are former top prospects Nail Yakupov and Mikhail Grigorenko, who weren't given qualifying offers as restricted free agents. Yakupov and Grigorenko are 23, could come cheap on proveit contracts and still contribute after rocky starts to their NHL careers.