Big scoring numbers could land prospect with Preds next season

By JOHN GLENNON

There have been very few Predators prospects over the years that have made the jump directly from the ranks of juniors or college directly to the NHL.

In fact, Predators coaches and management have made it a point in recent seasons to talk about the value of their young players earning experience at the American Hockey League level prior to playing in Nashville.
 

But based on his current track record in juniors, prospect forward Alexander Radulov will put that theory to the test next season.

The 19 year-old Russian, who was the Predators' first-round draft pick in 2004, led the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League in scoring during the regular season and is showing no signs of slowing down in the playoffs.

In a second-round, Game Seven playoff showdown last week, Radulov posted two goals and two assists to lead his Quebec Remparts to an 8-1 victory. Heading into last night's Game Two of the QMJHL finals, Radulov was the league's leading postseason scorer, having totaled 46 points (17 goals, 29 assists) in just 18 games.

Should the Remparts win their current series, they'll advance to the Memorial Cup, which pits Canada's top junior teams in a round-robin competition.

How hard will it be for the Predators to start Radulov's pro career in Milwaukee after he's produced such personal and team achievements?

"We like to say that the road to Nashville is through Milwaukee,'' Predators GM David Poile said. "We've talked about this and we really feel there is something to moving up from junior or college through minor pros, and earning your stripes is worth a lot. As I sit here today, that's what I'd like to have happen with Radulov.

"However, he does control his own destiny. He was an excellent player at training camp this year. There's no denying what he's done in juniors and the stats he's putting up there.

"He'll be on the ice with all of our players competing for a job in training camp. I'd be disappointed if he was not here in the not-too-distant future.''

29 мая. Red-hot Russian: The Predators are hoping that 2004 first-round draft pick Alexander Radulov will join the Admirals for the AHL championship series, now that his junior season is finally complete.

Radulov scored two goals and had three assists to lead the Quebec Remparts to a 6-2 victory over Moncton in the championship game of the Memorial Cup, a tournament that decides the best junior team in Canada.

The leading scorer in all of Canadian junior hockey during the regular season, Radulov had collected three goals and an assist in his first three games.

"We'll see how he feels physically and mentally, and if he's ready to go,'' Poile said.

"It would be unbelievable to try to win a Memorial Cup one week and then the next week try to compete for an AHL championship.''

Radulov wasn't the only Predators draft pick to leave an impression at the Memorial Cup. Defenseman Cody Franson, a 6-4, 205-pounder who was picked in the third round last year, had collected five points (three goals, two assists) in his first four games.