Igor Larionov, the new head coach of SKA, has addressed speculation regarding the potential transfer of Alexander Radulov to the team. Radulov, fresh off a Gagarin Cup victory with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl and recognized as the MVP of the 2025 playoffs, is a highly sought-after player.

Larionov acknowledged Radulov’s passion for the game, stating, “Radulov’s eyes are burning. He is one of those who, at any age, in any team, plays with soul.” However, he remained cautious about predicting Radulov’s next destination.

“It’s too early to say where he will be. He is a champion, they are now celebrating to the fullest. Surely he has his own preferences, we won’t touch on this topic yet,” Larionov stated during a press conference on June 6th.

Radulov, at 38 years old, recently secured the KHL championship with Lokomotiv. During the playoffs, he contributed 16 points (7 goals and 9 assists) in 21 games and was named the most valuable player of the Gagarin Cup.

Igor Larionov’s appointment marks a change in leadership for SKA, succeeding Roman Rotenberg, whose tenure saw the team’s lowest performance in 15 years.