Radulov Wants to Remain in Russia

According to the Canadian Press, Nashville Predators forward Alexander Radulov says he wants to remain in Russia and help his country grow the sport. Radulov has also claimed that he will not hold any negotiations with the NHL of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). Radulov left the Predators over the summer to sign a contract with the Kontinental Hockey League. He was still under contract for one more year with the Predators. Radulov was suspended indefinitely by the Predators in September. The Predators still own his rights for one more NHL season if he returns to the league. Radulov's words clearly state his intention to remain in the KHL. It is likely at this point that he will never return to the NHL, and if he ever did, he would likely not be greeted warmly by the Predators' management and players.

Radulov in Breach of Contract, According to IIHF

According to tsn.ca and files from the tennesseean.com, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) has found Alexander Radulov in breach of his contract with the Nashville Predators. However, he will not be suspended by the Federation. Over the summer, Radulov signed a three-year contract with Salavat Yulayev Ufa of the Kontinental Hockey League with one year still remaining on his current contract with the Predators. The KHL claimed the move was legal because at the time, there was no transfer agreement in place between the NHL, IIHF, and KHL. The KHL has agreed to have the Radulov case settled through binding arbitration, though they want the hearing held in Russia. The NHL has accepted arbitration in the matter, but had requested it take place in Switzerland, the home of the IIHF. The KHL has yet to respond to the NHL's request. As I mentioned before, Radulov's sole reason for defecting to the KHL appears to be monetary. He is the latest player to fall to the greed of an expensive, lavish contract. The longer he defies the NHL, the less likely he will be greeted back warmly by the Predators and their fans.

Radulov Case Headed for Arbitration

The Kontinental Hockey League as agreed to binding arbitration with the NHL over the contract status of Alexander Radulov. The time and location of the arbitration hearing has not been decided, and that will likely be difficult to work out. The KHL agreed to arbitration only if the hearing can be performed in Russia, which the NHL deems unacceptable. The NHL wants a neutral location for the arbitration hearing to avoid any bias toward the KHL if the hearing is in Russia. In July, Radulov announced he was leaving the Nashville Predators to sign a three-year contract with Ufa of the KHL with one more season remaining on his current contract with the Predators. The NHL has argued that Radulov cannot play in the KHL because he is still under contract with the Predators. Radulov has since been suspended by the Predators indefinitely without pay and has also been suspended from international competition. The NHL recently announced that the final year of Radulov's contract can be upheld if and when he returns to the NHL. The likely driving force behind the defection is money. Radulov can make more money playing in the KHL next season than if he played the final year of his contract with Nashville. With the Predators facing bankruptcy in 2007, the team has been trying to keep player contracts low for now. Radulov needs to realize the Predators cannot afford to pay him the money he could get in Russia. If it were not for the current financial hardships of the team, Radulov would likely get a considerable raise from the Predators due to his offensive skills. Too many players in the NHL today care about signing expensive contracts and earning lots of money rather than winning championships and icing the perfect team. Unfortunately, Radulov is the latest player to be swept up in the greed for money. If Radulov continues to defy the Predators and the NHL, that will not likely sit well with the Predators' players and management, who may not want him back if decides to return to North America.