Benn and Seguin starting to build chemistry with Radulov

DALLAS — Alexander Radulov has a bit of a checkered public perception in the NHL.

The KHL departure, NHL return, and second departure from the Nashville Predators didn’t look good. It created a narrative that the Russian was difficult to deal with. He was a prima donna and he’d had a negative impact on a team’s locker room.

Intended or not, Radulov has already rebuffed any resemblance of those characteristics in his limited time in Dallas.

Similar to his one season with the Montreal Canadiens, Radulov is a hard-working player. He’s a spark plug of sorts, and he brings a tremendous energy to the rink each day.

“In practices his work ethic makes you work even harder,” Seguin said. “I’m looking forward to seeing how some of the celebrations are (in games), I know he gets pretty wound up. It’s going to be fun.”

There wasn’t an extravagant celebration, but Radulov helped set up the game-winning goal in his first game on a line with Seguin and Jamie Benn as the Stars defeated St. Louis 5-3 to open the preseason Tuesday.

During a power play in the third period Radulov controlled the puck down low and sent a pass to Julius Honka at the point. Honka took a shot-pass that Benn deflected in for the captain’s first goal of the preseason.

It was the first look at a top line that Jim Nill envisioned when he signed Radulov to a five-year $31.25 million contract on July 2.

Benn compares Radulov’s arrival Seguin’s in 2013.

“Very similar to when Segs first got here. Trying to build chemistry off the ice, and then hopefully it works on the ice,” Benn said.

Since that arrival Benn and Seguin have combined for 269 goals, the most by a pair of teammates in the NHL during that time frame.

“It didn’t take too long, it was just one of those things that worked out,” Benn remembers of his start with Seguin. “Hopefully we bring (Radulov) into the situation we’ve got here.”

So far so good.

“Starts with really just the first game just saying skate for the team and the play will open up from there,” Seguin said.

We saw a small sample of that on Tuesday. Benn, Seguin, and Radulov got more comfortable as a unit as the game progressed and in the third period they were able to sustain offensive zone time during rare five-on-five play.

“I don’t even know how many shifts we had five-on-five, but it was fun,” Benn said. “It’s good to get back out there with the whole group and some new faces. I think we could have done a little bit more tonight, but it’s a start for a first game in a couple months.”