“He’s a real leader” – Kanareikin assessed Radulov’s first match for Lokomotiv

Honored coach of Russia in hockey Fyodor Kanareikin said that Yaroslavl Lokomotiv forward Alexander Radulov showed himself well in his first match for his new team.

In the off-season, 38-year-old Radulov signed a one-year contract with Lokomotiv. On Tuesday, the Yaroslavl team beat Magnitogorsk Metallurg (3:2) away in the match for the FONBET Opening Cup of the 2024/25 KHL Championship.

— In the first game, we saw his typical actions. As always, he controlled the puck well, made finishing shots. It is clear that he still has to get used to new tactical schemes, but it is clear that he is comfortable. The same charge, the same energy. But he began to behave more calmly on the bench and calmly prompted his partners. We know how Radulov can get himself and the team going, but today he is comfortable.

It is obvious that he is a real leader. He is a leader in energy, a leader in behavior on the field. He always looks for small moves that will lead to success, and he burns himself on the field, burns together with the team, as before. Of course, Yaroslavl has changed over the summer. Before, there was Andronov – he is a more working player with specific responsibilities, but Radulov is a brighter leader who gives the team a different state, – Kanareikin told Metaratings.ru.

Watch live broadcasts of the FONBET KHL Championship on the Match holding channels.