Radulov to Go Under Knife But May Play at Worlds

© RIA Novosti . Alexei Kudenko / Go to the mediabankAlexander Radulov
Alexander Radulov - Sputnik International
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Nashville Predators forward Alexander Radulov is to go ahead with surgery on his knee but is yet to decide whether to postpone the operation to help Russia at the world championships, Russian Hockey Federation president Vladislav Tretiak told RIA Novosti on Wednesday.

Nashville Predators forward Alexander Radulov is to go ahead with surgery on his knee but is yet to decide whether to postpone the operation to help Russia at the world championships, Russian Hockey Federation president Vladislav Tretiak told RIA Novosti on Wednesday.

Radulov has had a knee injury since leaving his KHL team Salavat Yulaev Ufa to join the Predators in March, but it hasn't appeared to impede his form as he helped steer them into the NHL Western Conference final.

"Radulov spoke with the coach and said that he has a problem with his knee and wants to have surgery," Tretiak said. "He still hasn't made a final decision on his participation" in the world championships, Tretiak said.

Radulov is to undergo medial tests in Nashville later Wednesday and will inform Tretiak of the results, he said.

"If Radulov doesn't come, it will be a huge loss for us," Tretiak admitted. "This is a player of the highest class; he sets the team alight, bears down on goal, simple a master."

Radulov, 25, became available to play for Russia when the Predators were dumped out of the NHL playoffs by the Phoenix Coyotes on Monday.

Radulov first joined the Predators in 2006, but left for Russia two years later with a year to run on his contract, saying he missed his homeland, only to return to Nashville for this season's NHL playoffs.

Russia has won its first three games at the world championships in Sweden, beating Latvia 5-2, Norway 4-2 and Germany 3-0 to top Group B with the hosts.

They still have to face Denmark on Thursday, then Sweden, the Czech Republic and Italy. The top four of the eight teams in the group go through to the quarterfinals.

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