Alexander Radulov has one thing on his mind as he gets ready to embark on his latest stint in the NHL.
One of the newest members of the Montreal Canadiens spoke with the media on Monday and admitted that his decision to return to not just the NHL, but the Canadiens stemmed from a desire to win.
"The first goal is I want to win," Radulov said, according to Sportsnet's Eric Engels. "I want to win every night. It doesn’t matter who’s going to score and put up the points; we want to win. It’s a team game and I think if the team is going to be successful, everyone will be successful.
"Marc (Bergevin) was saying it’s a special place to play," said Radulov. "I hate losing. I hate when something goes not our way. I just want to win and I think this is the place and I’m ready for it."
The decision by the Canadiens to take a chance on Radulov has always been one met with scepticism. This is largely due to the impression he gave after he was suspended by the Nashville Predators back in 2012 for violating a team curfew policy and ultimately returned to the KHL.
However, Radulov feels that part of his life is in the rear-view mirror and he has since become a leader on and off the ice, thanks in large to his general manager in CSKA Moscow, Sergei Fedorov.
"Thanks to Sergei for that," Radulov said. "I was there playing and we had a pretty young team and I had that thing that I was a leader and playing a lot of minutes. I tried to live as an example in the locker room, off the ice and on the ice. It’s helped me a lot. It’s changed my vision of the way I have to work and I have to be."
Radulov is now married with a son and understands that for his sake and theirs, he must act accordingly.
"I’m getting older," Radulov said. "I know I gotta take care of myself and be in shape and be 100 per cent every day. I know how to do that and I really like that I’m here right now."
During his last four years in the KHL, Radulov has amassed an astounding 78 goals and 238 points in 181 games.
