Predators make it official and give Radulov his sweater back

The Nashville Predators made it official that Alexander Radulov has returned to the team and will finish the regular season under the terms of the final year of his entry level contract.

Predators' General Manager David Poile made the symbolic gesture of giving Radulov a Predator gold sweater with his old number "47" emblazoned on the back.

Radulov appeared happy to be in Nashville and rejoining his old NHL team. Make the jump for the full release from the Nashville Predators...



ALEXANDER RADULOV REJOINS THE NASHVILLE PREDATORS

Nashville, Tenn. (March 21, 2012) – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that forward Alexander Radulov (al-ehx-AN-duhr RAD-uh-lahf) will rejoin the team effective immediately. Radulov will play under the final season of his three-year entry level contract signed in 2006.

“Adding the best player in the world not currently in the National Hockey League can only help the Nashville Predators,” Poile said. “Alex is a terrific talent and a proven goal-scorer who will now have a chance to help the Predators and play against the best teams and players in the world. We always believed he would return. We welcome him back and look forward to his contributions.”

Radulov, 25 (7/5/86), has spent the last four seasons with Salavat Yulaev Ufa of the Kontinental Hockey League, claiming the KHL scoring title in both 2010-11 and 2011-12, and winning the “Golden Hockey Stick” as the league’s most valuable player each of the past two years (2010 & 2011; yet to be awarded in 2012). The 6-1, 205-pound right wing helped Ufa win the 2011 Gagarin Cup as KHL champions.

Nashville's first choice, 15th overall (first round), in 2004 Entry Draft last played for the Predators during the 2007-08 campaign, finishing third on the club in goals (26) and points (58), and third among NHL sophomores in goal-scoring. During his rookie campaign in 2006-07, Radulov established single-season franchise records for goals (18) and points (18g-19a-37pts) by a Nashville rookie in addition to ranking fifth in the NHL with an 18.8% shooting percentage.

The Nizhny Tagil, Russia native has represented his homeland in the last five World Championships, winning titles in both 2008 and 2009. He also played in the 2010 Olympics, a pair of World Junior Championships (2005 and 2006), and claimed gold in the 2004 World Under-18 Championships.

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