Agent: We are looking for a loophole to arrange Radulov’s return to NHL

Yury Nikolaev, the agent of Russian forward Alexander Radulov, claimed that the players’ representatives are currently looking at the options to complete his return to the NHL by mid-April.

«There is little progress at the moment, we need Ufa management to let Alexander go. At the moment they have not given their agreement.»

«All other KHL and NHL authorities have given you the green light?»

«That’s right. Now we are peacefully negotiating with Salavat and not trying to force the issue. But what can you do, if the contract only ends on April 30? We need to solve this problem somehow, but I cannot find a way. He could return to Nashville next season, and Salavat would keep the rights for the player. But I cannot find a way of bringing him to the US right now. You keep expecting him to makes some sort of a big step, but we are tied by the KHL rules. We don’t want to break the law, so we have to find a legitimate solution. The Predators made him an impressive offer and we just need to find a loophole that will allow him to go back to the NHL,» the agent told Sovetsky sport.

Later Nikolaev also spoke to Sport-Express, adding that the Predators’ are willing to wait on Radulov:

«The Predators’ approach is a constructive one. They have discussed the situation with the NHL, the players’ union and other authorities. They expect Radulov by mid-April, when the regular season ends: that would allow him to work off the remainder of his contract with the Preds. They believe he can help the team in the play-offs.»