How the Canadiens and Alexander Radulov found love
The most rewarding relationships often involve taking big risks despite being burned in the past. Two parties with unfortunate track records come together to create a stable, fulfilling relationship. Such is the case with the Montreal Canadiens and Alexander Radulov.
Had the Canadiens not controversially traded P.K. Subban to the Nashville Predators for Shea Weber, the summer in Montreal would undoubtedly have been spent with a daily dissection of the Canadiens’ major free agency acquisition. As it were, many media members and fans were skeptical when the Habs signed Radulov, a talented right wing who had previously left the NHL twice on less-than-ideal terms, to a one-year, $5.75-million contract on July 1.
As Arpon Basu of NHL.com pointed out that day, this was mostly due to the context. The Habs had just traded a fan favorite for an aging player on a massive contract, and Radulov had been the subject of much criticism at the end of both of his previous NHL stints. In 2008, he left the Nashville Predators for the KHL because of a contract dispute and was promptly suspended by the team. The Preds lifted his suspension in 2012 so he could join them for their playoff run, which started out with high expectations but ultimately flamed out as they lost in five games to the Phoenix Coyotes. A major talking point of that series was that Radulov and Andrei Kostitsyn missed two games for breaking team curfew. The Preds did not renew his contract, and Radulov went to play in Moscow.
The Canadiens’ recent past gave fans no reason to be optimistic. Radulov was predicted to be just the latest in a series of failed risks, wherein the team would sign a talented player to help with scoring, mishandle the player’s minutes or assignments, and then unceremoniously dump the player. It had become an annual phenomenon guest starring Daniel Briere, P.A. Parenteau and Alexander Semin.
This pairing had all the makings of the kind of relationship your mother and friends warn you about.
However, Radulov has consistently been a bright spot. He is currently second on the team in scoring, not far behind Max Pacioretty. The fans have embraced him wholeheartedly, and he appears to really be enjoying his time in Montreal. Instead of news or rumors about off-ice partying, Montrealers get treated to fun post-game soundbites and stories of his charity efforts in the community.
Coach Michel Therrien attributes this success to Radoluv’s "passion," but his success is more likely due to being given top line minutes, the best available linemates whenever possible and the confidence of (read: leeway from) his coach. He has always been a talented player, productive on every stage of his career. The questions about his work ethic understandably stem from his bad breakups in Nashville, but his career production should speak for itself.
The team has remained at the top of its division throughout the season but in recent weeks has faltered, losing to bottom-feeding teams as well as the top teams in the league. While the Canadiens go on break, their division rivals have the opportunity to make up some games they have in hand on the Habs, but they're still in the position they want to be.
Radulov is often held up as a reason to be optimistic that the team will easily make the playoffs, particularly if it can regain its early season form and the team's struggling world-class goaltender can bounce back.
Despite the odds, the Montreal Canadiens and Alexander Radulov are lucky to have each other, which just goes to show how successful relationships can be with a some hard work and a little attitude adjustment.
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