Alexander Radulov and the Nashville Predators may be finding that out right now.
When Radulov returned from Russia to rejoin Nashville in the closing days of the regular season, it was supposed to be the final piece of the Predators' puzzle. It was also a controversial reunion that raised the ire of some around the hockey world.
Nashville had already assembled a formidable squad anchored by goalie Pekka Rinne and two of the league's top defensemen in Shea Weber and Ryan Suter. With KHL MVP Radulov back to augment the offense, it appeared that Nashville was finally ready for a deep playoff run.
For one round, things went according to plan. Radulov had a team-high six points with a goal and five assists as the Predators took out Detroit in five games in the opening round. Radulov had 10 shots and was a plus-5 in that series.
But things have been quite different in the second round. Radulov might actually have been of more use to Nashville in Russia than he was on the ice in Phoenix in the first two games against the Coyotes. He had one assist, but was also a minus-3 and managed just one shot as Nashville dropped both games.
NBC analyst Keith Jones ripped Radulov for his "unbelievable lack of effort" during the broadcast of Sunday's 5-3 loss to Phoenix. Jones went on to note that for Nashville coach Barry Trotz, "It's got to be killing you as a head coach to watch this guy play."
After struggling to describe Radulov's KHL credentials, fellow analyst Jeremy Roenick piled on.
"He was terrible on both sides of the puck," Roenick said. "When you want to win in the playoffs you have to have your best players be your best players. Radulov right now might be the Nashville Predators' worst player."
The stinging critiques were music to the ears of many fans outside of the Music City who did not appreciate the way Radulov was allowed to return to play out the remainder of the contract he walked out on in 2008. It was as if Radulov was being rewarded for his lack of loyalty, getting to play a handful of games to gain his freedom from the legitimate contract he had breached. He made his millions in his homeland the past four seasons, and now will be free to return to Russia, or seek offers elsewhere in the NHL, after joining the Predators for a few weeks.
Considering the circumstances of his return, few will shed a tear at his struggles. And maybe in light of his abandonment of the team once already, it shouldn't come as a shock to see his lack of engagement in this series.
On Monday, Trotz offered a less than ringing endorsement of the enigmatic star, with his observation that others have been equally ineffective about as close as Trotz would come to defending Radulov from the criticism.
"I know Rad took a lot from the NBC crew, but there are a lot of guys that have to look in the mirror right now that aren't playing as well as they have," Trotz told the Tennessean.
"Our best players have to be our best players," Trotz added, echoing Roenick's comments. "I'd say so far that's not the case. We're getting beat with a little of our own formula — some good goaltending, a healthy dose of team defense and a healthy dose of work ethic. We've got to get back to our identity a little bit."
That identity might even mean a return to a lineup without Radulov. Trotz was noncommittal when asked by reporters if he would consider scratching Radulov in Wednesday's Game 3.
"I couldn't even tell you that," Trotz said. "I'm not trying to hold anything back. I just don't know yet. … There's a lot of guys you could flip out."
Somehow it would be fitting that it could take Radulov's absence, this time of the Predators' choosing, that could be the wake-up call needed to get Nashville back in its series.
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