Alexander Radulov speaks his mind, but has little to offer

by Dirk Hoag on May 28, 2009 9:01 PM EDT

Courtesy of Dmitri Chesnokov at the Washington Capitals Examiner, we have a translation of an interview that Alexander Radulov recently gave to Pavel Lysenkov of Sovetsky Sport regarding his status with the Nashville Predators. Earlier today Mirtle also pointed to Russian media reports that A-Rad plans on sticking with the KHL for the time being.

What, me worry?

What's remarkable about this interview is that Radulov sounds pretty much exactly the way Preds GM David Poile characterized him, based on informal conversations the two had during the world championships:

Asked if Radulov expressed regret for leaving the Predators in a difficult situation last July, Poile paused before answering.

“I think he has a hard time understanding our position when somebody else was offering him an improved situation,’’ Poile said. “Just like I believe that if he wants to come back — regardless of the fact he signed a multiyear contract there — I don’t believe he thinks it’s a problem coming back.’’

And here's what Radulov has to say in today's the*** interview:

Is it true that you have the right to go back to the Predators next season?

"Theoretically it is possible. But right now I am a Salavat Yulaef player. I am tired to all the rumors and talks. I want to stay away from this situation. I have an agent. Let the decision be made between the two clubs. And the player is not to be blamed for anything. Maybe I am guilty of something. But you cannot turn back what's done. Life goes on."

Does Radulov really see himself as adrift in a situation that simply needs to be hashed out between the two teams and his agent? That's an awfully helpless position for a guy to take over his professional career. His agent, after all, is his employee, and ultimately, the decision to abandon his NHL team and jump to the KHL rests on his shoulders.

Whether he likes it or not.

*** As John Glennon clarifies (and I should have noted in Chesnokov's article), the interview occured about a month ago at the World Championships.

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Comments

Maybe someday he'll grow up.

I’ve said it before and nothing has happened to dissuade me from this opinion: Alex Radulov is an emotionally immature young man who has been tossed about by a combination of emotion and bad advice from those whose interests are not completely invested in the welfare of his career.

His parents wanted him to be closer to home (and I can’t really blame them for that) however his agent(s) were obviously looking for a more substantial payday. They apparently still have him snowed under to the idea that they have his best interests in mind, and that he needn’t worry about dealing with these trivial career decisions — they’ll take care of everything…RIIIGHT.

We can only hope he wakes up and smells the coffee before he wastes the prime of his career playing in an inferior league and burns whatever remaining good will he has left from the NHL. And one really has to wonder about his parents’ vocipherous support of his defection; is their motivation financial as well? Meh, check that. As a parent of two adult children at or older than Rads, I suppose I can see their desire to be closer to their son, but not if they’re motives are more than just having him nearby.

Unlike a lot of other Preds fans I will welcome Alexander Radulov back with open arms if and when he returns to the NHL, but I do feel sad at the overwhelming inevitability that he’ll live to regret his decision to leave in the first place. The damage his reputation has suffered is irreparable, I’m afraid.

AJ in Nashville | Predators Season Ticket Holder since 2000

by AJ in Nashville on May 28, 2009 10:08 PM EDT reply actions

I agree with everything you said

Welcome to Smashville, Tennessee.
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Proud iPhone user. Take that, Jim Balls.

by Aditya T (smashville) on May 28, 2009 10:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Like I said earlier today, maybe it’s time to try to pick up a fifth round pick in return for the rights to Rads. As skilled as he is, I don’t see how an attitude like that would fit very well in the locker room. He has really gotten a lot of bad advice and drank the kool-aid along with it.

Buddy Oakes

by PredsOnTheGlass on May 28, 2009 10:23 PM EDT reply actions