Bringing the juice: Radulov 'everything and more' than Stars expected

Only a small group of Dallas Stars players were scheduled to skate during a recent practice, and Alexander Radulov wasn't among them. But Radulov put on his skates and went out there anyway, fired a puck into an empty net and pumped his fist in celebration.
Radulov then decided to have some more fun, shooting pucks on net and going after rebounds as goaltending coach Jeff Reese and goaltender Kari Lehtonen tried to get in some work together at one end of the ice.
It was smiles all around.

"He's buzzing pretty much non-stop once he arrives at the rink," Stars captain Jamie Benn said of Radulov. "I don't know if he's like that outside of the rink at home, but he brings a lot of energy to this team, and it's contagious. He's fun to be around."
"He's a battery that doesn't stop," said Stars center Tyler Seguin. "He's just huge on those days where you are really tired."
Seguin points to a game in early December when the Stars were playing the second night of a back-to-back, the third game in four nights and the fourth in sixth. And they were playing in Denver, where the Stars have had spotty success in recent years. You'd expect the team's energy to be a little low, but then there is Radulov.
"He was flying out there in warm-ups, and Jamie and I looked at each other and said, 'We need to get going. We've got to get some jump, too,' because we were just going through the motions in warm-ups," Seguin said.
Radulov's energy rubbed off on his linemates. Seguin scored two goals, Radulov had two assists, and Benn chipped in one assist as the Stars defeated the Avalanche, 7-2, for their first win at Colorado in one year.
Radulov gets high marks for his energy, passion and his work ethic. The 31-year-old said the reason behind it is simple.

"I just love the game," Radulov said. "When you get older you realize it's not going to be forever. Hockey is my everything. I want to grow as a player. I want to win. What are you going to do? You have to work for that."
Radulov sets an example with his hard work, his relentless style of play, and his willingness to battle. Others follow.
"The in-zone stuff that is hard work, determination and stay with it; he invigorates our group by playing that way," Stars coach Ken Hitchcock said. "That helps us. He's brought more guys into that style of game that is necessary to win. His competitiveness at the puck has brought other people's game up another level."
And, of course, there is Radulov's skill, which leads to his ability to produce points, whether it is through his playmaking or putting pucks in the net. Radulov leads the Stars in scoring with 53 points (21 goals, 32 assists) in 57 games.
All that's added up to Radulov making a big impact in his first season in Dallas.
Ask Stars general manager Jim Nill, who landed Radulov in free agency this summer, if the veteran forward is what he expected, and Nill barely lets you finish the question.
"Everything and more," Nill said. "I say more because I didn't realize the passion he has on and off the ice, and that's a big part of being an elite player. When you have that passion, and you combine it with the skill level, hockey sense and everything else, you've got a pretty special player."
Nill signed Radulov, who hit the free-agent market this summer, to a five-year, $31.25 million contract in July. Radulov, who had played in Montreal last season after spending most of the previous eight seasons in his native Russia playing in the KHL, was the final key move of an impressive offseason for the Stars, who also added goaltender Ben Bishop, defenseman Marc Methot, center Martin Hanzal, and right wing Tyler Pitlick.
But despite the expectations coming into the season, there were some ups and downs for the Stars early, and Radulov got off to a slow start as well, tallying just four points in his first nine games. But the points have been piling up since. He put together a career-high nine-game point streak from Oct. 26 to Nov. 4 and then matched it with another nine-game streak in January.

"My partners, my teammates, they help keep me going. It's all about the team. It doesn't matter who is scoring or getting the points," Radulov said. "It's about the little things, the little details and working in both ends of the ice. Just get it done and make sure the team is getting it done. That's the more important thing."
Radulov has spent most of the time playing on the Stars' top line with Seguin and Benn, although Hitchcock has broken up the trio now and then. At times, he's moved Radulov to different lines to jumpstart other players. But for the most part, it's been Radulov with Seguin and Benn -- and that's proved to be a dynamic trio.
"They are great players, and they are working hard. There is a lot of talent in them, and they are really skilled, it's a pleasure to be here and with those guys," Radulov said. "It's not my decision who I play with. I've been playing with them, and I've been playing with a lot of other guys. It's normal. That's a hockey thing. The team is more important. If we need to get split and go play on other lines, I am fine with that. I think those guys are the same. As long as we are winning and making the playoffs, that's our goal."
The move to Dallas has been seamless for Radulov.
"It's great. I love it. I love the city," Radulov said. "I love the team we have, the staff, everybody. So far, so good. They've been good to us."
The weather has been a big plus as well, especially in the winter when it is a little milder than back in Russia.
"The weather is fantastic," he said. "Where I'm from, there is a lot of snow and cold. Here, you don't have to put the winter jacket on at all, basically. Maybe once or twice a year. I like it."
And the Stars like Radulov, his play, the work ethic, the leadership. And then there is that energy and passion.
"It rubs off on the fans, it rubs off on the players," said Nill. "It's contagious."
This story was not subject to approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club. Mark Stepneski is an independent writer whose posts on DallasStars.com reflect his own opinions and do not represent official statements from the Dallas Stars. You can follow Mark on Twitter @StarsInsideEdge.