So how many did I sucker - even for just 30 seconds - this year?

Alexander Radulov’s decision to return to the NHL beginning in 2011-12 caught everyone by surprise, and not just fantasy owners. Yesterday’s surprise announcement completely changes the offensive landscape of the Nashville Predators. Let's break it down.

The Predators get: their most dynamic offensive weapon back into the fold. Add a superstar to any team – and mark my words, Radulov will be an NHL superstar after making the KHL his toy these last couple of seasons – and that team becomes infinitely better.

Fantasy Players Impacted: The wingers on the top two lines will be: Radulov, Sergei Kostitsyn, Martin Erat and Patric Hornqvist. All of their games will be brought up a level. Steve Sullivan won’t be back now – assuming he going to re-sign there otherwise, and Colin Wilson will continue to apprentice on the third line with no need to rush. Cal O’Reilly, David Legwand and Mike Fisher will battle it out for the top two jobs up the middle and I’ll put my money on O’Reilly, who has excellent upside and is all “pass” which works will with Radulov’s “shoot”.

And then there’s Mr. Radulov himself. Some poolies have still been hanging onto him, even after he signed a contract last fall to remain in the KHL. There wasn’t a mention of an out clause at that time, yet these stubborn fantasy owners held their ground and now it will pay dividends. His numbers in the KHL have been so far above everyone else’s, it is hard not to think that he will get at least 80 points, even in Nashville. This is a team that will go two consecutive seasons of not having a 55-point player, so that’s saying a lot.

Fantasy Players this helps next season, in order:

1. O’Reilly
2. Kostitsyn
3. Hornqvist
4. Legwand
5. Erat
6. Fisher
7. Shea Weber
8. Ryan Suter
9. Cody Franson

Fantasy Players this hurts next season, in order:

1. Sullivan
2. Wilson
3. J-P Dumont

Comments (20)

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George Ross said:

	the fool Ok I am the fool. but as soon as you buy two guides I will buy one. Your turn Kevin you pay pal so will I. Your turn
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April 01, 2011
Votes: +0

Kevin said:

	A Fool and his money..... Let this be a lesson to the few people posting about how angry they are and how this move will cost them - always double-check information and confirm it with more than one source. Don't worry about NWO dobbs, I will buy 2 guides next season!
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April 01, 2011
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nwo1950 said:

	... Not good -this joke cost me a move and cash I will not be buying any more guides from this site. Next time you joke make it one that does not cost. bad joke
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April 01, 2011
Votes: -1

Pavel Nikiforovitch said:

	Won't fool me! I knew it was an April Fools' Day joke. I just sent an email to my fellow Doctor Who fans about a crossover Doctor Who / Harry Potter episode myself. ;-)
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April 01, 2011
Votes: +0

ryan harrison said:

	I hate this day It doesn't impact me because I didn't make any rash decisions but... Dennis.. you're screwed hahahhaha. Why would you do that?!
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April 01, 2011
Votes: +0

dennis said:

	I'm pissed I just dropped Crosby for him in my limited keeper league. If this is a joke I'll be pissed
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April 01, 2011
Votes: -1

Princeton said:

	OMG I fell for it. Luckily for me when I went to claim him another Dobberite "Loco Man" in my league beat me too it. Now I find out its a sham. Priceless!!! Well done.
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April 01, 2011
Votes: +1

zenon popil said:

	Radulov. April 1st haha Well done but not your best. No chance the vodka swigging perogy eating Russian returns.....yet
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April 01, 2011
Votes: -1

Jason said:

	Tease Sick joke.....but good one!!! I'm one of those who held on to Radulov last year with the hope he was going to return for the 2011-2012 season....what a tease this article was.
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April 01, 2011
Votes: -1

Czechline said:

	E5!!! This was no April fools joke, the announcement was cracked by a well connected source in Eklund's stable of contacts... E5!!! Just another example of crack reporting by hockey's finest.
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April 01, 2011
Votes: -1

Silvio Zgraggen said:

	RaduLOVE GOT EXCITED FOR A NANO SECOND , GOOD ONE ........ HAPPY APRIL FOOLS
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April 01, 2011
Votes: +0

Austin said:

	... The best april fools joke EVER! Haha I started a topic reporting it on CDC. http://forum.canucks.com/topic/299295-radulov-returns-to-nhl/ I hope it stays open for a while.
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April 01, 2011
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Budde said:

	rattle off Haha. 80 pts was my tip off.
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March 31, 2011
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Tim Johnston said:

	April fools... I believe there was even a pre-cursor to this, in yesterday's ramblings I think? Something about Radulov still owning a house/condo in Nashville... haha well done!!!
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March 31, 2011
Votes: +2

Ryan said:

	... HAHA, not only that, he somehow vaulted into #3 on Dobber's Top 300!! At least try to make it a little believable!!
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March 31, 2011
Votes: +0

pull the goalie said:

	... If this is a joke, I wonder how many pissed off people already claimed him
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March 31, 2011
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Shane said:

	... Has to be April fools, this is nowhere else to be found. You could have at least waited to post it on April 1st! Although kudos to going all out - even included him in the 'Top 300'.
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March 31, 2011
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James said:

	... aw man cruel. i already claimed. damn april first.
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March 31, 2011
Votes: +4

Trevor said:

	... April fools!
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March 31, 2011
Votes: +1

Alex Currie said:

	Not cool! If this is an early April Fool's joke, shame on you. Not seeing it on TSN, HFBoards, anywhere. Shame shame!
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March 31, 2011
Votes: +0