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.