1. Alexander Radulov
Team: CSKA Moskva (KHL) Age: 29 Status: UFA
2015-2016 stats: GP: 53 G: 23 A: 42 P: 65 +/-: 28 PIM: 73
The Avalanche’s most likely signing, and he should be. Radulov has been a superstar in the KHL and has the talent to be the same in the NHL.
His past stints on this side of the pond with the Nashville Predators have been good offensively. The issue with Radulov has been his attitude; which is something Patrick Roy, his former coach in juniors, apparently thinks he can control.
Radulov is an off-side winger. He dazzles with the puck, thinks the game at a high level and has the ability to both pass and finish. The most important thing he brings to the table however, is passion. A sore loser, he will do anything to get the “w.”
Radulov was reportedly making over $9 million a season in the KHL, a number he is almost guaranteed not to reach in the NHL. While that much is almost certain, his market value is almost impossible to accurately gauge. Still, if you believe Avalanche goaltender Semyon Varlamov, Radulov will most likely be wearing burgundy and blue next season.
Estimated cost: $4.25-5.25 million.
