Radulov goes on the defensive after being pulled from lineup and rumours of a rift within team

Former NHLer Alexander Radulov has decided to speak out following a large dose of internet rumours after he was made a healthy scratch right before a game recently despite being his team's best scorer. Radulov was pulled from the lineup of Ak Bars Kazan just minutes before the game was supposed to start late last week, causing an explosion of rumours on the internet. One of them spoke about an apparent rift between Radulov and Ak Bars head coach Oleg Znarok. This is something Radulov denies.

"A lot was said and written after this, a lot of people called me to support me. They read all these comments, statements from some sources. When you realize that this is complete nonsense and does not correspond to reality, you want to speak out about it," said Radulov.

Asked point-blank why he was pulled from the lineup at the last minute, Radulov had this response:

"There wasn't any discussions or any messages. I was just taken off the roster. I'm ready for everything, but I just don't understand when they say that there are no untouchables, when the team lost 10 of the last 12 games and didn't make any changes after those losses, and then they made me leave suddenly. It was the coach's decision, I respect it, but now they are saying something, and they say that I have some kind of conflicts with one or the other."

Radulov also denied rumours of conflicts with teammates Vadim Shipachyov
and Danis Zaripov over Kazan's captaincy.

"I don`t have any conflicts with anyone. There are working moments. There is information about my conflict with (associate coach) Yuri Babenko. There was no conflict with him as such, just a misunderstanding on the bench," said Radulov.

"So it turns out that I am to blame for everything, and I don`t agree with it. There are moments for which I am ready to take responsibility and bear some punishment in terms of the game. But in terms of discipline... I doubt anyone will confirm that I had any problems off the ice this season, that I broke my regime or my routine. It's unfortunate that my family, friends and acquaintances read that and then ask questions and wonder," he continued.

Radulov also expressed his disappointment and surprise with being made a healthy scratch at the last minute while leading the team in scoring. It seems he feels some of his teammates are playing much worse than he is.

"I'm not trying to protect myself, but when you see the same mistakes from game to game, the same shortcomings, sitting on the bench, and you realize that no action is taken, and then they start making you the guilty one... I don't understand it."

Source: Championat.com

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