The Montreal Canadiens took a chance on Alexander Radulov.
The cost? One year at $5.75 million, which is a significant investment for a 30-year-old player with plenty of talent but past off-ice discipline issues. So far, Radulov has been a welcomed addition to a Habs lineup that needed a skilled forward capable of putting up good numbers and taking a top-six role.
The success -- or lack of -- for the Habs will always focus around the play and health of goalie Carey Price.
But Radulov is off to a nice start to the season, which should provide some optimism for Canadiens fans after a disappointing 2015-16 season and the tumultuous summer that followed.
He entered Monday’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers with two points in five games, but had solid puck possession numbers. Against the Flyers, he was once again a central figure for the Habs on the attack.
And the production followed.
He had a three-point night, setting up Shea Weber’s goal in the second period -- Weber’s slap shot busted the stick of Brayden Schenn and still had enough to get by goalie Steve Mason -- and Brendan Gallagher for the eventual winner late in the third period.
Radulov then secured the win with an empty-net goal, giving him five points in six games. The Habs, following their 3-1 win over the Flyers, remain the only team in the league without a regulation loss.
Radulov entered the season as a potential X-factor for the Habs.
General manager Marc Bergevin received plenty of criticism for trading P.K. Subban. But so far, the returns from signing Radulov have been promising for the Habs.