Predators' Greenbacks No Match for Russian Rubles
In Mother Russia, puck slaps you.
On Tuesday, the Predators suspended right-winger Alexander Radulov indefinitely for failing to notify team management of his intentions to play in Nashville this season. This comes two months after Radulov signed a deal with a Russian club despite having a year left on his Predators' contract.
You might be asking yourself: What could compel a 22-year-old millionaire to leave coed-friendly Nashville for a gig in the polysyllabic nightmare that is the Republic of Bashkortostan?
To which we'd reply: more cash, of course...
Radulov's new team, Salavat Yulaev Ufa, managed to steal away the Predators' third-highest scorer using the time-honored tradition of dumping an obscene amount of rubles on the negotiating table. The equivalent of $13 million dollars (tax free), to be exact.
That doesn't take into account the thousands Radulov will probably have to spend paying off the former KGB crimelord who keeps the portable generators running in Bashkortostan. But it's still enough to make the lowly million remaining on his contract with Nashville look as appealing as a Russian wint...ummm, it's just a lot more money.
Comments
I do love that lede.
Posted 09/04/2008 at 12:43:39 AMHe's not the only one. The NHL's gone to the international hockey body about another 4 or so players trying to do the same thing. If I'm the NHL, I'd let them go under the stipulation they would be permanently banned from ever returning to the NHL or any of its minor league affiliates. The gas-n-oil rubles can't last forever over there & I'm sure the players would tire of the Russian Mob and corruption. Can only hope Rad's wakes up one morning to rue his decision - meanwhile, I say "Do svidaniya, comrade".
Posted 09/04/2008 at 08:25:04 AMThis is devastating for the Preds though. I'm really upset to hear this. Yes, let's ban his ass.
Posted 09/04/2008 at 10:01:23 AM