New York Rangers still studying whether to bring Alexander Radulov on board or not -NHL Update
New York Rangers had expressed their interest in Nashville Predators’ Alexander Radulov after they finished off their postseason, but as developments were expected to take place, the Rangers have seemed to shifted gears and take some time in studying the
situation first before making any moves.
For Nashville Predators, Radulov is expected to be leaving the team no matter what the case may be. Whether it be with another team in the National Hockey League (NHL) or a return to the Russian Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).
For the New York Rangers, there are expected to be a lot of options opening up besides Radulov, including players like Columbus Blue Jackets’ captain, Rick Nash, Anaheim Ducks’ Bobby Ryan and New Jersey Devils’ Zach Parise.
Rangers are instead letting the situation play on like it normally would with players making the free agents in an unrestricted nature and than going after them with some valuable offers.
Radulov’s weight might not be an issue for New York since his previous contract was a three-year, entry-level deal with Nashville Predators worth $2.657 million, which would mean New York could secure the player for a longer term.
With the other players set to become unrestricted free agents, the issue is with the amount of money some will be demanding. Rick Nash is still on a $7.8 million a year contract that has him locked up through the 2017-2018 regular season and will take up
a lot of space.
Picked up as the 15th overall draft pick during round-one of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, Radulov has spent three seasons with Nashville up until now that were not consecutive. He left the team after the 2007-2008 regular season to go play in Russia
and returned to play just nine games this year.
In total, Radulov is a player with a lot of potential looking at his 154 games played and 102 points (47 goals, 55 assists) scored.
It is not certain when New York Rangers will initiate a deal for the player if they do at all, but developments on the issue are expected in the upcoming weeks.
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