Semin or Backstrom?
by ovechkinmvp on Oct 11, 2009 10:32 PM EDT
48 comments
Since I have seen this topic discussed often lately and since Semin and Backstrom are in contract years, I thought I would pose the question. Backstrom is in the final year of his three year entry-level deal while Semin is in the final year of a two year extension in which he is making five million dollars this year according to nhlnumbers.com. The Caps may not be able to afford both of them next year. So, put yourself in GMGM's shoes and make the choice yourself.
If this FanPost is written by someone other than one of the blog's authors, the opinions expressed in it do not necessarily reflect those of this blog or SB Nation.
0 recs |
48 comments
Email
Print
Comments
Backstrom without a doubt. You can not deny Semin’s talent, but if you have to keep one, you keep the player who is almost always focused and makes the smart play over the guy whose lapse in focus occasionally puts the team in trouble and overshadows his talent
Because now I can justify browsing and commenting during the work day with the argument that I am promoting my business.
by Sombrero Guy on Oct 11, 2009 10:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This. Backstrom, no question.
Never lie, steal, cheat, or drink. But, if you must lie, lie in the arms of the one you love. If you must steal, steal away from bad company. If you must cheat, cheat death. If you must drink, drink in the moments that take your breath away.
by gotsparkly on Oct 12, 2009 8:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And considering that neither is heads and shoulders above the other take the guy who’s not playing second fiddle to Ovie.
by red army line on Oct 12, 2009 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And the center for AO’s future. Even if all other things were equal I’d take the C, but Backstrom is just a better player.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 12, 2009 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
How many votes do we get to before we see one for Sasha?
by sixsevenfiftysix on Oct 11, 2009 11:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Does this thread automatically detonate if it gets to 50-0?
Russian Machine Never Breaks
by macvechkin on Oct 12, 2009 12:46 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This is an interesting academic discussion, but the good news is it’s probably unnecessary. Even if the cap drops a fair amount, the team should have the money to keep both. Here’s the cap space held by unrestricted free agents that should open up by the coming summer
4,875,000 – Michael Nylander (replaced by nobody)
3,678,333 – Jose Theodore’s 4,500,000 replaced by Neuvirth’s 821,667
2,500,000 – Brian Pothier (representing the 8th defenseman; replaced by nobody)
300,000 – Shaone Morrisonn’s 1,975,000 replaced by Alzner’s 1,675,000
529,167 – Milan Jurcina’s 1,375,000 replaced by Carlson’s 845,833
Total: 11,882,500
Brendan Morrison and David Steckel are both unrestricted free agents next year. Backstrom, Semin, Schultz, Flash, Fehr, and Gordon are RFAs.
Let’s say the cap goes down by 1.5 million. 2 million is allocated to giving raises to Schultz, Flash, Fehr, Gordon, and Morrison and Steckel (or whoever replaces the UFAs). That leaves 8 million to pay for raises for Backstrom and Semin, which is more than be enough to get them up to the 7 million dollar level, which I think is probably more than either of them will make. Datsyk at 6.7 Million and Iginla at 7 Million are good comparables. It’s hard to justify paying either Backstrom or Semin more than those gentlemen — at least not yet.
It gets more interesting if the Caps trade for a crease-clearing defenseman during this season, but even then there is enough flexibility that they should be able to make it all work.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 12, 2009 2:19 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
That’s assuming Nylander is moved right? He’s on contract through next season, correct?
by sixsevenfiftysix on Oct 12, 2009 2:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
but his NMC expires, which for all extensive purposes means he’s long gone from the big club’s roster and from the big club’s salary cap situation.
by Natty Bumppo on Oct 12, 2009 6:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
When Nylanders' NMC Expires...
…he will be sent to Hershey, as no one will likely claim him on waivers. He’ll make his $3M but it won’t affect the Cap.
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Caps on Oct 12, 2009 8:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Do you think Nyls reports to Hershey?
by David M. Getz on Oct 12, 2009 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Could the Caps reassign him to South Carolina?
by red army line on Oct 12, 2009 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It’s written specifically into the CBA that players have approve a loan to the ECHL.
by apk3000 on Oct 12, 2009 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
On the other hand, Hershey doesn’t have the same roster rules as the Caps. So it doesn’t hurt them all that much to keep him nominally on the roster but not playing.
It’d sure be a thing if Nylander didn’t make the Hershey clear-day roster, eh?
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 12, 2009 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If it gets to that, $3,000,00 says he does.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 12, 2009 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Doubtful. I bet he’d just refuse and go find the best deal he could in Europe (AKA the team he finishes this year with).
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 12, 2009 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
the more interesting question may end up being: just how high do these backstrom and semin contracts go? regardless of whether the caps can fit both players next year, there will be another waive of young players looking for raises, then another waive, then another waive (all within the term limits of ovechkin’s deal). the caps management will pick and choose, and obviously the salary cap in general creates a premium for cheap young talent and good draft classes….but as the saying goes, a penny saved is a penny to spend on alzner/varlamov/carlson.
by Natty Bumppo on Oct 12, 2009 6:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Semin won’t get a big raise, I’m guessing around $1 million more per season, if that. Backstrom is in for about $5 million more per season, not more.
by red army line on Oct 12, 2009 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If Backstrom is willing to I’d lock him up for as long as we can, obviously only if it’s a reasonable number. Let him and AO be the future of the top line for the Caps.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 12, 2009 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Caps can keep them both...
A nice analysis of the situation there. The Caps will probably land Backstrom for 2-3 years at about $5.7M per year, and Semin will be about the same for 3-4 years (he’ll sign for longer since Ovie is here, I’m guessing). That would make their combined salary $11.4M under the cap. With their current cap hit of $7.2M, the Caps have to reduce the cap by $4.2M… and that’s Nylander.
Of the other players named up there, I can see Pothier possibly signing an extension for a reduced/home-town discount (maybe about $1.75M). I’m pretty sure they won’t resign Morrisonn (until this season, he’s never been easy to get signed) and I’m more sure they won’t resign Jurcina.
As for Brendan Morrison, any extension will be done during this season more than likely…
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Caps on Oct 12, 2009 8:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’d bet there won’t be any extensions this year unless its on of the guys in this poll. GMGM won’t hamstring himself by giving anyone a raise until he knows the situation with Backstrom and Semin.
by Sct112 on Oct 12, 2009 8:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Probably, but I’m also kind of expecting him to lock up at least oen during the year.
Never lie, steal, cheat, or drink. But, if you must lie, lie in the arms of the one you love. If you must steal, steal away from bad company. If you must cheat, cheat death. If you must drink, drink in the moments that take your breath away.
by gotsparkly on Oct 12, 2009 10:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
BMo has been playing llike he wants a contract extension. Very effective and in the right place on the ice and at the right time in each of his shifts. Quietly impressive.
IS PAЯTY NOW
by Your Nation's Capital on Oct 12, 2009 10:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
even if he doesn’t get an extension, he’s shown early promise of returning to his pre-injury form, which would entice a lot of other teams to sign him.
by RedBirdie on Oct 12, 2009 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
agreed, I think the Caps figure out a way to keep both
Because now I can justify browsing and commenting during the work day with the argument that I am promoting my business.
by Sombrero Guy on Oct 12, 2009 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
My totally baseless prediction: Backstrom gets locked up long-term first, and then… drama. Lots of back-and-forth on Semin until finally he signs a one-year deal and we do the whole dance again next year.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 12, 2009 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
You think? Will it go to some sort of arbitration? Feelings hurt, translations botched…
by Sct112 on Oct 12, 2009 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That’s consistent with past history with Alex “fine, I’ll just go home for a year” Semin.
(Of course that year he held out seems like a blessing now)
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 12, 2009 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think that fact that he is such good friends with Ovi and that he can’t talk English yet will entice him to sign longer than that.
by hockeyman33 on Oct 12, 2009 6:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think J.P. is speculating at a one year deal because GMGM can’t/won’t offer Semin enough money to make him willing to sign long term. I could see Semin taking some discount to stay, but he’s already making 5.5 and he’s probably going to be due for a raise. Is GMGM really going to shell out 6+ for an injury prone player when he still needs to lock up Baxter, Green/Schultz/Carlson/Alzner and a goalie over the long term when we already have a stud W? I’m not so sure (and it sounds like J.P. isn’t either). If Semin accepts below 6 I could see him getting a multi-year deal but he’s not going to be locked up for as long as Backstrom (I hope).
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 12, 2009 6:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think GMGM said, at the convention and other places, that keeping them both is one of his highest priorities.
"Camaraderie, that's what the Washington Capitals are all about."
by CapitalCentre on Oct 12, 2009 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’d wonder if people would vote for Semin or what/who we could get for him in trade.
His talent-level is top notch. He’s sure to be responible for his share of wins again this season. But the discipline issues in play, and still not being able to figure out the difference between a poke check and a slash…
by Icebat on Oct 12, 2009 3:50 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
i’d take Semin with his discipline issues over most of the players in the league. a GM would really have to offer an elite talent and/or a top three 1st round pick before it would be worth it.
and thats only if Semin asks for stupendous money.
by ns on Oct 12, 2009 9:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
We can assume that the difference between what Backstrom makes now and what he will make with his new contract is far greater than the difference between what Semin makes now and what his new contract will bring him. Therefore, won’t it cost a lot more (over what’s being paid now) to keep Backstrom?
That said, I would not be surprised to see them both resigned and on the roster next year.
by rule56 on Oct 12, 2009 6:22 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Where’s the option for “avatar”?
"Good crowd out there tonight, boys, let's really try to win this one."
by Bald Pollack on Oct 12, 2009 7:30 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
It becomes a malpractice to have this same poll every few months (weeks?) or so. If it’d been offered before the last game or a week ago, the results would’ve been different for sure. Wait until at least the mid-season or after the Olympics, when statistical fluctuations of game-to-game performances are smeared out, and then ask it again.
by fnralch on Oct 12, 2009 10:00 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
To me it doesn’t matter when you ask the question. Backstrom first, Semin second. Every day of the week.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 12, 2009 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think most of what you need to know about this vote can be found here.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 12, 2009 10:33 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I think I want to recast my vote on Green vs Semin
by Fehrskine on Oct 12, 2009 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Everyone should want to re-cast their votes for Steckel, etc.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 12, 2009 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think I want to recast my vote on Green vs Semin
Too soon. Have some faith. (Then again, I voted Green above Backstrom)
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 12, 2009 7:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hey guys, don’t be so harsh! They didn’t spend the long offseason here.
Baxter FTW, by the way.
"My face is my mask."
by jakeshapiro on Oct 12, 2009 12:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The only way Semin would be first is if he didn’t take so many penalties and if we already had a legit 1st line center, like Big Joe or Savard. But, we have the opposite in Ovi, so Backstrom is an obvious vote.
by hockeyman33 on Oct 12, 2009 6:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
scratch that – thats what i get for clicking on the wrong tab to answer a question
by Icebat on Oct 12, 2009 10:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Baxter, always and forever. He’s a better player and he fills a more important role on the team. I can’t even see how this is a question.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Oct 12, 2009 11:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
You have to consider that if you let Backis go, you don’t have a damn thing in the way of centers. There is not one center on this team that can play first or second line minutes if Backis and Morrison go. Can we afford Backstrom, Semin, AND a second line center?
I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.
by Whiter Mage on Oct 13, 2009 3:59 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recommended FanShots
Recent FanShots
Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Washington
|
68 | 45 | 14 | 9 | 99 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
67 | 28 | 27 | 12 | 68 |
|
Atlanta
|
67 | 28 | 29 | 10 | 66 |
|
Florida
|
67 | 28 | 29 | 10 | 66 |
|
Carolina
|
68 | 28 | 32 | 8 | 64 |
(updated 3.14.2010 at 9:01 AM EDT)
The Vault
Latest stories and headlines from NHL.com
- Richard Park scores shorthanded in Isles' 4-1 win over Maple Leafs
- Kozun's four points leads the way as Calgary Hitmen thump Red Deer Rebels 8-1
- Anderson makes 48 saves, Stastny scores twice as Avalanche topple Stars 5-3
- Hornqvist scores late as Predators rally for 7th straight win over Kings 3-2
- Nesbitt has overtime winner as Ottawa 67's edge Sudbury Wolves 3-2
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
