Alex Radulov signs with the Dallas Stars on a five-year, $31.25 million contract

The Dallas Stars and forward Alexander Radulov have agreed to a five-year contract worth $31.25 million, reports Dallas Morning News reporter Mike Heika‏. The deal has an average value of $6.25 million and will last through the 2021-22 season.

Radulov was one of the top scorers available in unrestricted free agency this offseason after completing a one-year deal with the Montreal Canadiens that served as a trial of sorts for his return to the NHL.

He had primarily played in the KHL since 2008 other than a brief run with the Nashville Predators in 2011-12. During that time, he established himself as one of the best players in Russia, so unsurprisingly there was interest when he decided to come back to North America last year.

During his one season in Montreal, Radulov recorded 18 goals and had 36 assists in 76 games as a welcomed source of offensive production for a team that established its identity on the defensive end and between the pipes. He wasn’t quite the offensive machine that dominated the KHL, a league that can’t match the NHL’s talent, but he still proved to be an impact player. Only Max Pacioretty recorded more points for the Canadiens last season.

Radulov, who turns 31 on July 5, brings that offensive skill to the Stars, which gets a boost to its top six with the signing. With Jason Spezza in decline and Patrick Sharp gone to Chicago, Dallas needed a top-six offensive spark and a power-play presence. They’ve also reportedly signed Martin Hanzal.

There wasn’t a true superstar forward on the open market this year, so Radulov was arguably the best of the bunch. Other top available names this free agency were Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, Radim Vrbata, Thomas Vanek, Sam Gagner, and Hanzal.