Alexander Radulov has officially left the Predators, defecting back to Russia after signing with Ufa (Salavat Ulaef) of the Russian Super Elite League.

The 22 year-old right wing who achieved career bests in goals (26), assists (32) and points (58) this past season decided he’d rather go home where he could get more money than remain with Nashville for the final year of his entry level deal. The former 2004 15th overall selection was set to make $984,000 for the upcoming 2008-09 season. Instead, he’ll earn more money while returning home for what could be as many as three years.

This comes on the heels of the NHL and a Russian hockey league  finally reaching a transfer agreement which would prevent players from leaving for greener pastures in the Western Hemisphere. Apparently, that didn’t prevent Radulov from doing what veteran Czech superstar Jaromir Jagr and lesser goalies Ray Emery and former Islander Wade Dubielewicz did.

Why? Because the Russian Federation and the IIHF still haven’t come to a similar agreement as IIHF president Rene Fasel noted in yesterday’s release:

“There is no sense to make a war. Everyone agrees we could make a war very easily, but with no winner. The loser will be the game. … Even if we don’t have a transfer agreement today we have a very good understanding of each other.”

So much for that good understanding. What should be also pointed out is that Radulov gave fair warning to the Predator organization that he had the desire to return home and had superior contract offers coming in. Apparently, they never bothered to call back according to what the player informed the Russian media:

“I told my bosses in Nashville that I wanted to play at home and some Russian clubs were offering me much better conditions than I had in Nashville. … They said they would call me back but never phoned. It seems that they were either not really interested in me or just did not believe I could return home. One way or another, I’m happy to come home.”

No matter how you slice it, this is a blow to the NHL. Especially that such a young promising Russian player who had the potential to be a star opted to go back home this early in his career. Paging Glen Sather.

The Preds still made the postseason last Spring but already dealt away defenseman Marek Zidlicky to Minnesota and now have lost the services of one of their best scorers after just a couple of seasons. In 145 games, Radulov amassed 44 goals along with 51 helpers for 95 points to go with a plus-26 rating.

Not only will he be missed by his team but by fantasy owners as well particularly in keeper leagues who were banking on the young Russian’s continued improvement production-wise. If you already submitted your keeper list with Radulov on it, the joke’s on you.

Fortunately, my two leagues haven’t required us to submit official lists yet as I believe Radulov was a guy on one of my teams I was considering. That takes care of that!

I really liked Radulov’s game as he boasted plenty of talent reminding me of a young Alex Kovalev. We bid Dac Vee Daniyah to you for now and hope you’ll return to the NHL.

Best of luck.