NHL free agency-Alex Semin

[baberenglish]

Slowly but surely since the summer potential free agents in the summer of 2011 have been quietly signing contract extensions. Many others are currently negotiating. Except one. Alex Semin-the slapper. I have had him in my keeper league for the last four years. Averaged almost a point a game considering he has missed 10-20 games each year through minor injuries. In a pool he is great-quietly consistent and nobody asks for a trade because they know you would want the farm for him. But come the summer I think the Caps will let him walk.They will keep him for the playoffs though because even if he walks in the summer they can still get some draft picks out of him. I don't think many teams will want to pull a Tkachuk deal(re: a few years ago with St.L and the Thrashers.)
It doesn't matter where he is going but I am thinking I should get something now out of him before the playoffs start, be it that is marketability is still intact.
If you saw HBO 24/7, did you notice that they barely payed any attention to him? Is that a sign? To me that is a red flag.
Of course Ovi and Greener got most of it, they even went to Backer's house to show xmas dinner!
BTW, Boudreau flying off the lid wasn't very controversial to me, my coach in junior did that all the time.
Do you think the Caps will let him walk?

[urodacus]

His name doesn't go down too well on TV.

[baberenglish]

hockey boys, think hockey, fastest sport in the world!

[citizen k]

The Caps have a lot of big name talent right now and, even though consistent, Semin just doesn't stand out the way he used to. Missing 10-20 games? Well, that's anywhere up to a fifth of the season; a pretty big minus when you are looking for a player to build at least a part of your lineup around. He's only 26 and to be missing that many games at his age is a huge red light. Right now he seems to be out until Friday with a groin injury. Those take a lot longer than four days to heal, so expect him to have it recur periodically in the second half.

I agree with you; wouldn't be surprised to see him dealt away before next season. If I were management in DC, I would seriously consider options on him.

[baberenglish]

The Caps could survive without him, although it's always a plus having that guy in your lineup, especially when you have to get by the pens, who have a similair roster in terms of depth.....reminds me of the Federov predicament Detroit had in the 90's and he slowly drifted away into the sunset without making much noise....could it be russians play in the nhl for 5 hard years and then give up??(exceptions to the rule of course)

[citizen k]

....could it be russians play in the nhl for 5 hard years and then give up??(exceptions to the rule of course)

The Sens seem to be wondering that at the moment and Montreal sure did for quite a few years, as well.

[Captain Stag]

....could it be russians play in the nhl for 5 hard years and then give up??(exceptions to the rule of course)

The Sens seem to be wondering that at the moment and Montreal sure did for quite a few years, as well.

Yashin was a total bust.....and Mtl just keeps putting up with it

[baberenglish]

what's your guys take on crosby's concussion??i got david perron in my pool who is still sitting after only playing 10 freakin games thanks to that blindside hit by you know who...I know Crosby is an intense competitor, I'd hate to see him out for an extended period...puckdaddy and other blogs are all in the dark, the pens are keeping this one silent, time to expect the worst??

[citizen k]

what's your guys take on crosby's concussion??i got david perron in my pool who is still sitting after only playing 10 freakin games thanks to that blindside hit by you know who...I know Crosby is an intense competitor, I'd hate to see him out for an extended period...puckdaddy and other blogs are all in the dark, the pens are keeping this one silent, time to expect the worst??

Concussions are tough things to come back from. You never really skate the same after one. Think of Lindros with that. Crosby is young and talented and the Pens need to realize that and let him heal completely and return to the ice with confidence, even if it does mean missing a few games right now. He's young and has his whole career ahead of him and it would be a shame to see the Pens jeopardize that by rushing him back in if it is in fact serious.

[citizen k]

....could it be russians play in the nhl for 5 hard years and then give up??(exceptions to the rule of course)

The Sens seem to be wondering that at the moment and Montreal sure did for quite a few years, as well.

Yashin was a total bust.....and Mtl just keeps putting up with it

Very true. I was thinking of Kovalev, though.