Breaking: NHL star has reportedly demanded an 8-year deal.

If they want to keep him it sounds like they will have to do so for the next 8 years.

TSN 690's Tony Marinaro, a very well connected Habs insider, is now reporting that Montreal Canadiens forward Alexander Radulov has made some monster contract demands. According to Marinaro, Radulov's agent, Maxim Moliver, made an official request to the Habs for an 8-year deal.

Many were surprised when the Canadiens didn't immediately sign him to a new extension after January 1st, the date at which they were allowed to do so, and rumors had circulated suggesting that it was Radulov's camp unwilling to re-sign. 

This puts a whole new spin on this saga however and it also makes the hesitation from Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin that much more understandable. Radulov is 30-years-old and, while he has been terrific for Montreal this season, 8 years on a player of that age is a big gamble, especially when it's a player you've had in your organization for less than a full season.

Marinaro admits he doesn't know what the salary request on the deal was, but rumors are that Radulov is also looking for a big number, and one has to wonder how long he remains a Canadien if that is indeed the case.