Is Semin the next Nylander?

by radhghlndr on Nov 9, 2009 7:42 PM EST

Now that moving Circles to make room to lock up key players for years to come seems to becoming a reality (still have fingers crossed). And there's been no argument who we need to keep: most notably Backie and Semin. I have no argument with Backie other than just lock him up forever. But I cannot help but wonder, is Semin our future Nylander?

Hear me out here. I do not remember a furor or outcry when Nyls was signed. He was coming off great seasons with the Rangers and he was expected to do the same here with Ov. Fastforward a few years and there's not a fan that isn't willing to help him pack to get out of town.

Enter Semin. His talent is off the charts. His shot and curl and drag are insane! Everyone would hate to see him shredding defenses in someone elses sweater. Yet he has a penchant for: getting hurt, disappearing in games, and taking horrible penalties. This has been on display lately, but it's hardly a new phenomena. I love to watch the guy play, but he also frustrates me like no one else. And judging by comments on here I know I'm not alone.

If in moving Nyls to free up space to sign Backie and Semin, and assuming he gets that new deal, are we going to look back on Semin's extended and expensive contract as an albatross around our cap stretched neck?

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The question, then, isn’t really “Is Semin the next Nylander?” so much as it is “Is Semin’s new contract situation going to be the new Nylander contract situation?” I’d say no because:

- Semin is more talented than Nylander
- Semin fits the system better than Nylander
- Semin is younger than Nylander
- McPhee’s very unlikely to give Semin a no-movement clause

by David Getz on Nov 9, 2009 7:50 PM EST reply actions

Add to that the fact that there would be far more teams willing to take a chance on Semin if the Caps wanted to get rid of him than there are with Nylander.

Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst

by Killer_Carlson on Nov 9, 2009 8:14 PM EST up reply actions

this

and if he goes, he probably goes to the Western conference

Rock the Red! Rock the White! Rock the Blue! Rock the Pens!

by RedskinFan4Life on Nov 9, 2009 10:09 PM EST up reply actions

if we trade him. when he is an rfa, any team can poach him

by hockeyman33 on Nov 10, 2009 3:41 PM EST up reply actions

That’s what I meant to say.

But is his wild unpredictability worth being in cap-space hell for a couple years if that’s what it takes to lock him up?

by radhghlndr on Nov 9, 2009 9:17 PM EST up reply actions

No, but that doesn’t make being the first Semin any easier to deal with.

Russian Machine very rarely breaks.

by macvechkin on Nov 10, 2009 12:36 AM EST reply actions

I don’t think he’s the next Nylander, but if I were GMGM there’s no way I’d give him a no-trade clause, and I would definitely try to make his contract tradable, because you really don’t want to wall yourself in with a player like Semin no matter how much skill he has.

by DC FURY on Nov 10, 2009 8:15 PM EST reply actions

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