Dallas Stars: Alexander Radulov Will Play Valuable Role This Season
By Josh Clark
Offensive production and consistency took a step back for the Dallas Stars in the 2017-18 season. That was, however, by no fault of Alexander Radulov’s. And after a career year and a new scheme, Radulov just might be in for an even bigger season in 2018-19.
On July 1, 2017, the Dallas Stars entered free agency with a relatively short to-do list. And considering the season they produced in 2016-17, it was surprising to see such a small index of needs. That shortened list was due in large part to the early action of GM Jim Nill.
After turning in one of the worst performances in franchise history during 2016-17, Nill immediately got to work at improving his roster in hopes of avoiding any more setbacks. He hired a new head coach in Ken Hitchcock a few days after exit interviews, traded for and signed starting goaltender Ben Bishop, and traded for veteran defender Marc Methot.
He did an excellent job at plugging up some of the voids that had plagued Dallas during the previous season. But one hole still remained and needed a solution: a powerful right winger with a scoring background to fill in on the top line alongside Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin.
It was a bit worrisome when the Stars didn’t find that right winger on the first day of free agency. They didn’t re-sign Patrick Sharp and let players like Justin Williams leave the free agent market with other organizations. But on July 3, they found their winger.
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The long-awaited announcement of where Russian winger Alexander Radulov would land was announced on that day when he inked a five-year deal with the Dallas Stars.
After returning to the NHL for one year in 2016-17 after a long KHL stint and playing with the Montreal Canadiens, Radulov became one of the prime offensive forwards on the market. His 18 goals and 54 points in 76 games made him look like a long-lost gem in NHL right wings.
So, Dallas found a way to lock him down on a long-term deal and add another dangerous piece to their offense. And in his first season in victory green, the Russian did not disappoint.
Radulov was one of five Dallas Stars players to skate in all 82 games in 2017-18. He averaged over 20 minutes per game and skated top line minutes at even strength and on the power play. And by the end of the year, he was the team’s leading scorer (behind Benn and Seguin, of course) with 27 goals and 72 points.
The thing about Radulov is that it almost seems that he can take over a game whenever he feels the need. He’s a dynamic winger with threatening speed, a powerfully accurate shot, and a driving determination to be stronger and better than everyone else on the ice.
His competitiveness and determination were what initially earned him first line minutes and a spot on the top power play unit. The rest was simply based on production.
Radulov is a dangerous asset in all situations and can pick apart opponents using pure grit and will.
And even after being a massive factor for the Dallas Stars in 2017-18, the 32-year-old could be playing in an even more critical and valuable role for the team this season. If that is the case, expect Radulov to potentially succeed even more.
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With Jim Montgomery taking over as the newest head coach, the Dallas offense should look significantly different next year. That’s not in terms of players used, but instead with how they are used.
Montgomery’s scheme focuses heavily on puck possession, relentlessness in the offensive zone, and wearing down an opposing defense with a well-crafted assault. But it also involves using and having a chance to win with all four lines.
That was one of the Stars’ biggest problems in 2017-18. Their offense was overtly one-dimensional, with the top line doing the majority of scoring and damage throughout the season while the other three lines struggled to find any form of consistency.
As a result, Montgomery has quite a tall task ahead of him. He must find a way to get all 12 forwards churning again and put together a lineup that can beat opponents with any trio. That’s where Radulov could be a major asset.
While Radulov proved to be one of the best and most lethal right wings in the NHL last season, he’s the most flexible player on the Stars’ top line. In other words, moving Tyler Seguin or Jamie Benn off of the top line and even the thought of splitting the two up seems almost detrimental to the team’s success.
But moving Radulov around in the lineup could be a smart move. Radulov’s talent centers around his own effort and does not necessarily rely on others to set him up for success. That being said, he’s got a certain amount of flexibility to him.
If the Dallas Stars offense is clicking right off the bat, it’s perfectly fine to leave Radulov on the top line so the trio can continue dominating on scoring and possession.
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But if things begin to break down and Montgomery needs to spread the wealth around, he could move Radulov to the second line and shift a familiar face in Valeri Nichushkin back up to the top line. The Stars would get a chance to maximize Nichushkin’s output while also being confident in Radulov’s ability to get the second line moving and producing.
Radulov also has an ability to play both wings. So, if Dallas needed a left winger to throw into the mix or if Montgomery needs more punch from the left side, he can likely get it with Radulov. It doesn’t really matter where no. 47 gets stuck in the lineup. He’ll likely produce in whatever position and role he’s given, which is huge.
That’s just how he does it. He’s an expendable player with great vision and one of the strongest work ethics you’ve ever seen in a hockey player. Not even being taken headfirst into the boards in a game last season could keep him out of the lineup. He’ll do whatever it takes to help himself and the team to succeed. And that’s an incredible asset for a new coach to have in his lineup.
As the 2018-19 season draws closer, keep an eye on Radulov and his determination. Though he hasn’t been in the NHL for an extended period of time, that hunger for a Stanley Cup is still all the more present inside of him. That should definitely play a part in his intensity and focus in the coming year.
Radulov looks as though he’ll be a key asset for the Dallas Stars and be put in the spotlight rather often. And considering how he acts in the spotlight in the recent past, there’s reason to believe that this could be his most powerful and dominant season yet.
Where he plays and who he plays with in the lineup doesn’t matter. Regardless of what happens, one thing is for sure: Radulov will give his best effort and make the players around him better as a result. And he’ll do it all with that toothless, “FREEDOM” face that we know so well.
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Could we see another career year both numbers-wise and effort-wise? Only time will tell. But it certainly looks as though Radulov could be set up to make even more noise in year two.