Quote:
Originally Posted by DallasGM
His potential return makes the preds a serious threat come playoff time if he does return serious offense boost
|
I'm actually not as sure about that - at least, not this season. It usually takes a player more than a handful of games to pick up systems and chemistry with linemates. Fortunately for Radulov, it's the same coach - and (arguably) largely the same system. But it's been a few years since he played here, and it's a very different cast of players he'll have to gel with. He'll have a couple of familiar faces in the room, and a couple of guys who speak his language, but I don't expect the transition to be all that easy.
There are only so many offence-first forwards you can afford to dress without sacrificing the hard checking, defensive style that is the Preds' signature. Will Radulov be able to adapt to and demonstrate a commitment to playing both ends of the ice? Or will Trotz give him icetime over one of the Kostitsysns? (And how would that go over with the brothers?)
Will be very interesting to see how everyone adjusts to his arrival.