Alexander Radulov Must Buy out of KHL Contract Next Season to Stay with Preds

With the anticipation of long-awaited Russian star Alexander Radulov's return to the Nashville Predators growing by the minute, yet another twist has come out in the drawn-out process.

Radulov will still be returning to the Predators this week and should be an asset to their playoff run, but he could be gone in the offseason. TSN and Puck Daddy's Dmitry Chesnokov revealed Monday afternoon that Radulov still has major obligations to his KHL team, Salavat Yulaev, for next season.

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"Radulov's return 2 the NHL is conditioned on him returning to the KHL next season (according to KHL Pres Medvedev)"

"Medvedev said Radulov was allowed to buy out this season only with the understanding he'd be back. If not, he'd have to pay 2/3 of next yrs"

"Radulov's next year's KHL contract is around $5m I was told." 

                —via Twitter @dchesnokov

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These developments come after weeks of positive news regarding the odd situation that would allow Nashville to add arguably the best non-NHL player in the world. During the Preds' 3-1 win over Anaheim Sunday, Russian reporter Slava Malamud broke news that Radulov was finally cleared from this year's obligations to his KHL team.

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"Radulov and Salavat appear to have reached a deal allowing A-Rad to leave for Nashville now. Salavat to keep his KHL rights"

                 —via Twitter @slavamalamud

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Head coach Barry Trotz even confirmed to the Tennessean's Joshua Cooper that he should be with the team early this week and make his return Thursday against the Pittsburgh Penguins.  

In other words, he'll still be making his return to Nashville this week, but the once-realistic expectation of re-signing the much-needed scoring presence long-term has taken a crunching blow. 

Radulov's offseason scenario adds yet another question mark for this Nashville team going forward. Will GM David Poile have enough to dangle out in front of star defensemen Shea Weber and Ryan Suter to re-sign now that his biggest bait could be on his way back to his home country?

One thing is certain, however. If the Preds weren't all in for this season before, they are now.