Nashville, TN – Alexander Radulov's path back to the National Hockey League has not yet been totally cleared.
Radulov is currently under contract with Salavat Yulayev of Russia's Kontinental Hockey League and wishes to return to the Predators -- the club he left with one year remaining on his initial pro contract back in September of 2008.
The 25-year-old left Nashville after being suspended by the club for failing to notify them of his return for the 2008-09 season and came back to play in his homeland.
Radulov posted career-highs with 26 goals, 32 assists and 58 points in 81 games for the Preds in 2007-08. Over his two-year career, the winger compiled 44 goals and 95 points in 145 contests.
"We have been in contact with Jay Grossman, Alexander's agent, throughout this process of trying to return Alexander to the Predators and the NHL," said Nashville general manager David Poile in a statement issued on Monday. "Though the complicated process has yet to be concluded, every indication is that Alexander will be returning to Nashville in the near future. We do not anticipate having any further update on this process until tomorrow, at the earliest."
Under the terms of his original three-year, entry-level deal signed in 2006, if Radulov plays a single NHL game this season, the final year of the contract is activated and he will become a restricted free agent on July 1.
He was named the most valuable player in the KHL for the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons.
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