PREDATORS SUSPEND RADULOV, ANDREI KOSTITSYN FOR GAME 3

[AlaskaFlyerFan]

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=394742

NASHVILLE -- The Nashville Predators have suspended forwards Alexander Radulov and Andrei Kostitsyn for Game 3 of their Western Conference semifinal with the Phoenix Coyotes for a violation of team rules.

Nashville general manager David Poile announced the decision Tuesday in a statement but did not elaborate on what rules were broken. The Predators trail the Coyotes 2-0 ahead of Wednesday's critical Game 3 in Nashville.

"I've been a manager for 30 years, I care about each individual player, but I've never put an individual player above the team. In this case, the players violated a team rule," Poile told TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun of ESPN.com. "It's disappointing any time a player has to miss a game because of violating a team rule, and it's even more significant at playoff time, but the decision between the coach and myself was very easy.

"We have to do the right thing. Their actions spoke volumes in terms of their lack of commitment and focus to give our a club a chance to win."

Radulov returned to the Predators in March after bolting to the Russian KHL following the 2007-08 season. He had three goals and four assists in nine regular-season games. The 25-year-old has one goal and five assists in five playoff games.

The Predators acquired Kostitsyn from the Montreal Canadiens prior to the trade deadline in hopes of bolstering their attack for the post-season.

The 27-year-old had four goals and eight assists in 19 games with the Preds, after collecting 24 points (12-12) with the Habs.

Kostitsyn has three goals and an assist so far in this year's playoffs.

"The Nashville Predators have a few simple rules centred around doing the right things," Poile said. "We have always operated with a team-first mentality and philosophy. Violating team rules is not fair to our team and their teammates."

Nashville defeated the Detroit Red Wings in fives games in the first round of the playoffs.

[sarsippius]

Wow. Well they should have known they were asking for trouble allowing Radulov back. Wonder what they did, Poile sounds like a parent angry about his 7 year old misbehaving

[flyerrod]

That takes some serious balls to sit guys during the playoffs for "team violations". I am not sure I want to know who or what was actually violated..........

[Miller Time]

Radulov is on my fantasy team

[JackStraw]

Radulov hinted that the team rule could have involved a curfew.

“Like I didn’t come back that late as we say, but like I said before, I don’t want to talk about it,” Radulov said. “I understand what is my mistake and really hope that everything is going to work out better for the team.”

http://www.tennessea...|text|FRONTPAGE

Edited May 1, 2012 by JackStraw

[Podein25]

Nice move by Preds. They'll almost certainly win Game 3.

"Book it"

[flyercanuck]

The guys on the FAN590 were joking yesterday that the Kostitsyns brothers were probably throwing the series for their mob buddies back in Montreal.

[Podein25]

@flyercanuck - maybe they were only partially joking?

[flyercanuck]

According to Doug MacLean it was a broken curfew. Plus little Tyts is still playing.

[Miller Time]

According to Doug MacLean it was a broken curfew. Plus little Tyts is still playing.

I bet the hell out of them minus a goal and that lame brain Trotz may cost me alot of money the prick.

[flyercanuck]

@Miller Time

I think they should let you swap him for another player while he's suspended. Say..Derek Roy?

[Miller Time]

@Miller Time

I think they should let you swap him for another player while he's suspended. Say..Derek Roy?

Funny you mention Roy. My money says he could be dealt. But those number one picks we will cash in and we will be a monster. I don't agree with not being able to substitute a player in my fantasy team. I am going to get whacked by a point by Digity over this perhaps. i have him in my crosshairs. I believe you are in the dust homer.

Edited May 1, 2012 by Digityman
Edited content in italics

[flyercanuck]

There's a new Zherdev in town...

[Vanflyer]

@Miller Time

"I bet the hell out of them minus a goal and that lame brain Trotz may cost me alot of money the prick."

Dude- you REALLY need to take a chill pill. Trotz is one of the best coaches in the league and has been for years (and doing it with a shoe string budget of a team). Just because you lost the bet does not mean you should go around trashing the coach like he intended to lose the game as a personal afront to you. Get real dude!

[Vanflyer]

@AlaskaFlyerFan

The file is too large to upload, but its pretty funny.

Radulov and Kostitsyn out partying Gif:

http://www.totalprosports.com/2012/05/02/its-an-andrei-kostitsyn-and-alex-radulov-dance-party-gif/

[hf101]

Trotz made this comment in a radio interview, even though he stated it wasn't how he found out.

"It's funny. With technology, all you have to do is go to the front desk. It's amazing that your key will actually clock you in when you leave and you go into your room. A little tip for anybody who's checkin' curfews."