2008-09 Rink Wrap: Alexander Semin
by Stephen Pepper on Jun 17, 2009 7:00 AM EDT
in Rink Wraps
256 comments
From Alzner to Varlamov, we're taking a look at and grading the 2008-09 season for every player who laced 'em up for the Caps for a significant number of games during the campaign, with an eye towards 2009-10. Next up, Alexander Semin.
Alexander Semin
#28 / Left Wing / Washington Capitals
6-2
205
Mar 03, 1984
4
$4,600,000 cap hit in 2009-10; RFA after '09-'10
6.51 rating
Key Stat: During the regular campaign, Semin finished with the highest GF/60 on the 2008-09 Capitals, an eye-popping 4.11 (Alex Ovechkin was second at 3.72), and also had the best GF/60 vs. GA/60 differential (1.84).
Interesting Stat: His GF/60 vs. GA/60 differential through 14 playoff games was exactly zero.
The Good: Semin reached NHL career highs in points, GWGs, and +/- this past season, despite playing in the fewest number of games of the last three seasons. Overall, he finished 16th in the league in goals scored, in 62 GP (fewest of the top 20 snipers in the league). (He also erupted in an unprecedented display of raw emotion, pummeling the back of Rangers D Marc Staal to provide a wholly-unscripted and spontaneous hockey fight for the ages, drawing the Verizon Center crowd out of their seats to a standing O.)
He was a force in the first-round Rangers series, scoring 5 goals and 3 assists in the seven-game set, failing to register a point only in Game 2, a 1-0 Rangers victory. (Though mention of his production during that next series is conspicuously absent.)
The Caps' power play finished as second-most productive in the league, and Semin was largely responsible for that production. He was third in PP TOI/60 behind Ovechkin and Mike Green, and second in PP PTS/60 only to Nicklas Backstrom. Having Semin as a shooting option was indispensible to such profilic scoring with the extra man this season. Even if his PP goal total dropped slightly from 2007-08 (10) to 2008-09 (8), his season PP points total increased 50%, from 20 to 30.
Through the first month of the season, into mid-November, Alex Semin was looking like the league's Hart trophy winner, and Ovechkin was, for a moment in time never to be repeated (we hope), looking like "the other Alex." Semin was leading the league in goals and points, particularly scoring clutch goals, and crushing would-be division rivals with a scintillating display of offensive might, a dominance that had Caps Nation delirious with joy. On a night when the division lead was on the line, and a statement needed to be made to the only legitimate challengers to the Southeast crown, in Carolina, Semin, on the (sometimes infamous) line with Ovechkin and Backstrom, unleashed a shock-and-awe attack at RBC Center, and the game was over well before the final horn. Coach Boudreau decreed, of that top line, "They can be cute if they are going to get five goals a night."
The Bad: And therein lies the dilemma with a still young and developing Sasha Semin. With the ice as his canvas, he's a master artist. He possesses breathtaking natural talent for executing a myriad of critical elements of the game of hockey. To watch his artistry, which has only been further refined and enhanced during his young career, is to be reminded of why the game is so captivating. And for all of his supreme skills, Sasha is well within his right to, rhetorically, ask "What's so special about [Sidney Crosby]?" and declare that "[Patrick Kane] is a much more interesting player." Because Semin thrills the fan with feats of dexterity like perhaps no one in the game right now.
However, though witnessing the slick sniper may richly satisfy the assembled on a given game night, there's quite a lot of brilliance to go around in absorbing the NHL game, to make the price of admission worthwhile, and I think we'd all trade a bit of the flourish for a greater focus on ultimate victory. In short, there's beauty in ugliness when it comes to hockey. (Just ask the Penguin fan.) Crosby's name will soon be etched into the legendary barreled base of the Stanley Cup, while neither Semin's nor Kane's name will be found there, as of yet. Semin simply tries too often to make the jaw-dropping play, when a more straightforward approach is more effective.
Next, what some may call the most significant, acute liability of Semin's game: his penchant for commiting minor restraining fouls. For most of the season, Semin led the team by far in RF/60. And he committed 10 more minor penalties overall in the 2008-09 season than in the season before, in roughly the same number of GP. Notably, Semin committed just five restraining fouls in 14 playoff games, an average of roughly 0.9 RF/60. Better, when it counts most, but still not great for an elite player.
Why so many penalties? The answer can, at least in part, be found in his exorbitant shift lengths. Sasha gets tired, but still he won't quit on the puck when it's lifted from him. No longer able to overtake his opponent with skating stride, he uses illegal methods to attempt to take back the biscuit.
All that being said about penalties, Semin drew about as many penalties as he committed (20 taken and 19 drawn in the regular season, and 6 taken and 7 drawn, at even-strength). Still, with his game-breaking skill, he could improve on that ratio. When it comes to driving the net, and taking hangers-on with him, to borrow a phrase, sometimes he feels like a nut, and sometimes he doesn't.
Finally, I often find it difficult to criticize a player for not playing through pain, because I honestly have no idea of what that player is enduring (especially, as in Semin's case, if I don't have the opportunity to have a meaningful dialogue with him.) Or for being injury-prone, that the frequency of injury or extent of time on the IR necessarily evidences a player's lack of commitment to the game or to his teammates. (See, e.g., Peake, Pat, for a clear example to the contrary.) And so I won't question Semin's commitment.
But, nevertheless, managing an NHL franchise to win a Cup involves cold calculation, and the propensity of a player to be out of the lineup due to injury has to factor into the long-term planning of the team's personnel on the ice. Semin's now played in 63 and 62 games in the last two seasons: is this all that we can expect for next season as well? Perhaps, with all of the offensive talent on this Caps team going forward, missing 20-odd games in the regular season is not so relevant. But he was also busted during the playoffs. So it appears that, aside from the first month of the season, there was hardly a time when Semin was not nursing some serious ailment.
The Vote: Rate Semin below on a scale of 1-10 (10 being the best) based on his performance relative to his potential and your expectations for the season - if he had the best year you could have imagined him having, give him a 10; if he more or less played as you expected he would, give him a 5 or a 6; if he had the worst year you could have imagined him having, give him a 1.
The Discussion: Can Semin again play a full, or nearly full, season, and reach his 50-goal potential? Is he one of those players with über skill but less of that vaguely-defined hockey sense to match? What will it take for him to earn a 10 rating next year?
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Semin did carry us for most part in the beginning of the season. I thought he was much more responsible defensively this season than last. Yes, I get annoyed with the over abundance of toe dragging, but he is truly the most skilled player on this team. Last season I felt for every great thing he did for us he gave it back, this season I felt he improved that ratio in our favor. As for the injuries what can you do? He produced on the ice. Other players got hurt and couldn’t overcome whatever their injuries were and didn’t produce. I give Sasha an 8.
by JSchon on Jun 17, 2009 7:09 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
gave him a 7
I wanted to rate him higher, but the restraining penalties drive me crazy, especially when they often negate a power play. And while its difficult to criticize for getting hurt, he has to play 70+ games to get a higher rating.
To get a 10? 40+ goals, 60+ assists, 70+ games, 40 or fewer PIM (I will grant some leeway hereif he breaks out the bongos again).
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 Jun 17, 2009 7:28 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Alex Semin produced more points per minute played than any player in the league including Malkin, Ovie and Crosby.
by JSchon on Jun 17, 2009 7:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The penalties are a legitimate knock, but don’t think for a second that he’s not aware of the issue, and hopefully he’s working on it. I was sitting behind the Caps’ penalty box for one game (Montreal?) when Sasha got called for a hook or somesuch and he was pissed. He’s just going to have to break the habit. I think he’s capable of learning: how often does he trip over the blue line these days?
For the spectacular points per game ratio, a give him an 8, and hope he gets a bit more discipline and a bit more health next season.
by RPI93 on Jun 17, 2009 8:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I didn’t give Sasha a 10 for two main reasons: reg. season penalty propensity and his sometimes uninspired, bored play. But I wanted to give him a 10. He was usually fantastic when AO wasn’t, and that was exactly what he needed to do, and that helped us so many times (but thank god AO is AO, because we didn’t have to worry too often about him). He is injury prone, but I can’t fault him. I never saw him pull a Jagr just to get himself out of a bad game, and that seems to be Ovie’s influence working on him.
But career highs in goals, points, and GWGs? All in 62 games? Fantastic.
Committing only 5 penalties in 14 playoff games? Super Fantastic!
BEATING THE HOLY HELL OUT OF BONGO-HEAD STAAL?! PRICELESS!
And his penalty killing emerged out of nowhere to be a great find.
8, though I might’ve just convinced myself to revote a 9.
by DrinkingPartner on Jun 17, 2009 9:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Personally, I have a really hard time giving a 9 or 10 to a player that misses 20 games – otherwise Le Lapin would be in that conversation.
-d
by meep_42 on Jun 17, 2009 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And missed none in the playoffs while injured.
Alex Semin, missed no playoff games, while injured.
Amazing, eh?
by DrinkingPartner on Jun 17, 2009 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If I may add to “The Good,” Semin’s penalty killing was a revalation – his GAON/60 four-on-five was the best of any F on the team – and it really seemed to focus and raise his all-around game.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jun 17, 2009 7:31 AM EDT reply actions 3 recs
Rec’d. Now all he needs is consistency. If he can do that all the time, he’ll be to wingers what Pavel Datsyuk is to centers. He needs to be that responsible in 5-on-5 play. And he really, really, needs to learn to be responsible on 5-on-4 plays. Way too many power plays ended with a Semin penalty this year.
by Gould Old Days on Jun 17, 2009 8:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Way too many plays in any situation ended with a Semin penalty. I think he’ll break himself of it eventually. Look at his playoffs, he understands how to play in important situations. Honestly, if he takes the same amount of penalties next year, but takes 6 through 3 playoff rounds, I’ll excuse his regular season.
by DrinkingPartner on Jun 17, 2009 9:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
a little off topic, to be sure....
….but as I was reading the last paragraph of “the good”, I kept hearing it in John Facenda’s voice. Gave me goosebumps….
by TJA on Jun 17, 2009 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
And if I may further add to the good, his takeaway-to-giveaway ratio was quite good. By comparison to some of the team’s other skill guys:
Eric Fehr (2.4)
Tomas Fleischmann (1.6)
Nicklas Backstrom (1.2)
Alexander Semin (1.1)
Viktor Kozlov (1.0)
Michael Nylander (0.9)
Sergei Fedorov (0.7)
Alex Ovechkin (0.6)
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by J.P. on Jun 17, 2009 7:39 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
God, I hope he gets a steady top 6 shift next season. Let him prove himself, Bruce!
by DrinkingPartner on Jun 17, 2009 9:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
lets just hope he can get back into shape after his surgeries…
by ns on Jun 17, 2009 9:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He was a top notch puck thief this year, edging out Kyle Okposo for the most takeaways per game in the NHL
Semin 1.18
Okposo 1.17
Malkin 1.15
Datsyuk 1.10
Richards 1.05
by CaliCapsFan on Jun 17, 2009 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m using the voting instructions as reason for the 4. Honestly, I can’t get over this year’s penalties and the regular season frailty over the last two years.
That said, I’d love to see him playing 70 games a year for the next several in a Caps sweater.
by Bald Pollack on Jun 17, 2009 7:43 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Career highs in goals and points don’t sway you? Efficient, dangerous PK ability? All of the other stats being thrown at you in the comments showing just how bad ass this care bear is :-) ?\
C’mon, now.
by DrinkingPartner on Jun 17, 2009 9:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What can I say, maybe I’m hanging on the potential word too much…
by Bald Pollack on Jun 17, 2009 9:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think you need to temper Sasha’s nearly limitless “potential” with what he’s actually shown he does in the NHL. Expecting him to stop dangling, falling, and hooking overnight (or even over a couple seasons) doesn’t seem all that realistic to me.
-d
by meep_42 on Jun 17, 2009 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why? If he can do it for +/-, why not for HHT?
by Bald Pollack on Jun 17, 2009 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Because +/- is a pretty stupid stat, descriptive mostly of how good a team you’re on an the quality of players you play with.
-d
by meep_42 on Jun 17, 2009 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Weren’t Nicklas Backstrom (+16) and Viktor Kozlov (-9) on the same line, much less the same team?
It’s not a stupid stat. It’s simply not.
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by J.P. on Jun 17, 2009 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
right. it’s a stat that needs some context (i.e. kozlov’s +28 in 07-08), but it’s by no means meaningless.
by Natty Bumppo on Jun 17, 2009 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Our definitions of meaningless and stupid differ. +/- out of context needs a lot of adjustment, and I’m just not convinced there isn’t a whole lot of variance year to year even once you make a swipe at adjusting it.
Agree to disagree as to its usefulness compared to some other adjusted and adjusted rate statistics.
-d
by meep_42 on Jun 17, 2009 5:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Like I say about just about any stat, it’s just one tool in the analytical arsenal. In and of itself, it means little, but I wouldn’t call it “meaningless” or “stupid,” just as I wouldn’t call GAA “meaningless” or “stupid,” though I think that’s a stat that by itself tells you little about a goalie’s performance.
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by J.P. on Jun 17, 2009 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Our definitions of meaningless and stupid differ. +/- out of context needs a lot of adjustment, and I’m just not convinced there isn’t a whole lot of variance year to year even once you make a swipe at adjusting it.
OK, if he can work on being more responsible defensively over the course of a year, then why can’t he work on not taking HHT calls?
by Bald Pollack on Jun 17, 2009 8:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I hate the phrase “agree to disagree.” I always think “No, I don’t agree to disagree. You should come over here to my side.”
by Gould Old Days on Jun 19, 2009 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
gave Semin an 8 as he was a consistent complimentary scoring threat to ovechkin. starting at 5 which would have been same output as last year
led the league in points per minute played. (1)
used marc staal as his personal drum kit (1)
goals, points both up (+1)
frequent “wow” factor erased by the consistency of semin skating to the box at the most inopportune time…
by KWclevpark on Jun 17, 2009 7:45 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Had Semin played in all 82 games at 19:13atoi he would had…
45G (44.98 to be exact) and 56A (55.5 to be exact)
111 points while playing playing roughly 2 1/2 minutes fewer per game than the top 3 scorers in the league…
Semin also played 94min of SH hockey
Ovi – 73
Malkin – 88
Crosby – 73
Give Semin 22atoi… his stats look like this…
51G and 68A
by JSchon on Jun 17, 2009 7:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Huge, huge hypothetical leaps to presume that a) he could play nearly a third more games than he has in either of the past two seasons and that b) he’d keep producing at the same rate if his ice time increased.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jun 17, 2009 8:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sounds like my argument about the Fehr positives. ;-)
by FFSEnough on Jun 17, 2009 8:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m not really assuming anything, just pointing out his numbers and giving people a better idea of what those numbers translate into over a 82 game season.
Jiri Hudler played in all 82 games and had 57 points. Not bad, but when you factor that he only played 13atoi, it becomes much more impressive.
by JSchon on Jun 17, 2009 8:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hudler also gets a lot of PP time compared to other guys in the league who only average 13min toi.
by FFSEnough on Jun 17, 2009 8:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
But there’s much more to it. For example, Hudler played against crap competition – bump up his minutes and he would undoubtedly face tougher opposition. He was already in the Wings’ Top 5 Fs in PP time, so increased minutes would likely come at five-aside, where he wouldn’t be scoring at nearly the same rate. And who’s to say he could be effective in a bigger role?
Playing the projection game is fun, but of limited utility.
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by J.P. on Jun 17, 2009 8:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
All of these things are true. But who is to say he wouldn’t be as productive?
I guess I just like to have fun.
by JSchon on Jun 17, 2009 8:19 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
JSchon, I think you raise a good point: What we have in Semin is 1LW talent playing 2LW. Were he to play a full season (read: 75 gm+) with a 1C and a ball breaker on the other wing, he could put up monstrous numbers. 100 points is not beyond his reach if he stays healthy….if if if.
And don’t fret, the noob skin gets sloughed off pretty quick around here…welcome aboard.
from the house that Red Jesus built
by bigonetimer on Jun 17, 2009 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’d be fine with that, I just have trouble seeing George kick down 3M+ for a 37 year old. I guess I see our inevitable C as more likely coming to us via UFA and our RW coming via trade, but …how ’bout the center though? really good points below re: the proper guy in the middle.
from the house that Red Jesus built
by bigonetimer on Jun 17, 2009 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rec’s for liking to have fun. Sometimes this site gets too bogged down in statistics and probabilities and forgets what it’s like to dream big.
by Scott in Shaw on Jun 17, 2009 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That’s what Pepper is for. :)
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by J.P. on Jun 17, 2009 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
The Semin/Staal “fight” is on my favorites list of videos to watch when I need a good laugh.
I give him an 8. I think he’s solid, love his offensive potential, and can’t wait to see him play more. That said, a 10 would require 70+ games played and more discipline re: restraining fouls.
Rockin' the Red in Section 412
by boutros23 on Jun 17, 2009 7:54 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I thought I’d have to defend my grade. gave him an 8 for his carrying of the team in the first half of the season. Also gave him an 8 for his increased responsibility on the team in killing penalties and would much rather see him get 2nd unit PK ice time over Flash. Semin’s skill at getting the puck away from the point man is impressive (take note of the side of the ice they load up when it was Semin + whoever else…).
To get a 10 from me next year, he’s going to have to have a pen.drawn to pen.taken ratio of 2/1, play 70 games and put up 90 points.
Going on record now with being concerned about Semin’s commitment to the team beyond this current contract and believe he’ll be tough to sign long term but completely worth it.
by FFSEnough on Jun 17, 2009 8:08 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Almost forgot. +33 improvement over last year is quite a feat.
by FFSEnough on Jun 17, 2009 8:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So Semin produces the same season next year as this one.
What’s his value in the open market?
by JSchon on Jun 17, 2009 8:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
His value is tremendous, but to us, as well, I think. I think we should find him a center and keep him happy. We should also find him someone to beat the shit out of whomever comes close to bothering him, or cross checking him in the back.
by DrinkingPartner on Jun 17, 2009 9:24 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Probably one the Caps can’t afford — you’re talking whatever Gaborik was hoping to get, plus some…
-d
by meep_42 on Jun 17, 2009 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Seven. Expected a lot. Got quite a bit more. But there’s too many negatives still there to rank him higher. If he grows up, stops retaliating, evens out his play, and stays responsible on his own end while generating offense the way he has been, he’ll get a 10 from me next year. He might also take home some hardware.
I’d like to see Semin spend the offseason with a pile of Pavle Datsyuk DVDs.
by Gould Old Days on Jun 17, 2009 8:13 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This is pretty much exactly where I am on Semin. Tough love? Maybe. But he can truly be one of the elite players in the League, and, going forward, I expect as much.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jun 17, 2009 8:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Contract Status: $4,600,000 cap hit in 2009-10; UFA after '09-'10
Isn’t he a restricted free agent?
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jun 17, 2009 8:14 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Yeah. He’s an RFA after ‘09-’10. I wonder if someone is mistakenly counting the year he spent in Russia against the team’s wishes.
by Gould Old Days on Jun 17, 2009 8:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just a typo (and we have it right in our contract/salary cap database)
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by J.P. on Jun 17, 2009 8:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Absolutely. It’s been corrected – sorry ’bout that.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jun 17, 2009 8:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Postulation: What would Semin’s season have looked like had he not been run at by StL?
by FFSEnough on Jun 17, 2009 8:21 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The same. Something else would’ve gotten him… he’s Alex Semin.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jun 17, 2009 8:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That was an external force causing damage, though, as opposed to an internal one. He may have gotten away with a few more games…. Before having a home accident, or a bee sting, or a shoe-fitting catastrophe, or a heavy watch problem, or a biting-too-hard-onto-a-gold-medal mouth problem, or a….
by DrinkingPartner on Jun 17, 2009 9:27 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
A 6 from me
What I expected: jaw dropping displays of stick-handling, some breathtaking goals, consistent maddening giveaways, consistent bad penalties, and an unswerving commitment to the spectacular over the mundane but effective play. I got all that, so there’s his baseline of a 5.
The plus factors: the increased production, the PK performance, carried the team through the first month.
The minus factors: disappeared for longer stretches than I expected/can tolerate; could not shake the injury bug.
The plus factors outweigh the minus, so I bump him up, but I can’t get to 7 for this guy.
For him to get a 10, he’s got to GROW THE FUCK UP. Quit retaliating. Quit trying to curl and drag around 3 defenders and turning it over at the blue line and just dump the frigging puck when the situation dictates. Get off the damn ice in under 50 seconds. Basically, eliminate the persistent negatives. At his level of ability, the brilliance will come if he stops stepping on his dick so consistently.
by fat_daddyo on Jun 17, 2009 8:32 AM EDT reply actions 3 recs
Ouch. Especially in skates.
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by J.P. on Jun 17, 2009 8:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That’s certainly not a pleasant image…
by DrinkingPartner on Jun 17, 2009 9:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think one thing many of these comments highlights is the absolute need for a legitimate complimentary center for Semin. Not Circles, not Feds, but a real, creative pivot who can take some of the pressure off 28. And if that center is already on the roster and has more often skated shifts with the other Alex, maybe it’s the latter who needs or more easily could adapt to another center.
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by J.P. on Jun 17, 2009 8:36 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
meh. maybe a few years ago but i think he’s lost a step or two
by ns on Jun 17, 2009 9:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He’d be perfect to sign for a couple of years until Gustafasson or maybe even Perrault step into the 2nd line C position.
by JSchon on Jun 17, 2009 9:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
whats the most you’d pay him? ideal contract?
by ns on Jun 17, 2009 9:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Signing Saku is signing Nyls all over again. Saku’s 34 and won’t accept under 2-3 years, no doubt, for about the same money.
by DrinkingPartner on Jun 17, 2009 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Are you saying MTL and NYR have similar playing styles?
by JSchon on Jun 17, 2009 9:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m saying it’s a slippery slope of sorts to attempt another FA signing of someone in the exact same situation. I like him, personally, but I don’t think I’d make that gamble with this team in its current position.
by DrinkingPartner on Jun 17, 2009 10:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Nylander problem would’ve been solved ages ago if not for his NMC. If we were to sign a similar player (Saku), rest assured GMGM won’t make that same mistake again. In fact, given the “fit” angle, I’m not sure he’ll ever do that again, no matter how tempting the veteran addition might look…
My $0.02… no on Saku. Keep bringing in young, fast guys. I spent the first 10+ years of Capitals fandom watching a slow team and I MUCH prefer this new and improved version.
by war_capitals on Jun 17, 2009 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
if we’re shopping Canadien at C, give me Tomas Plekanec to plug in at 2C
from the house that Red Jesus built
by bigonetimer on Jun 17, 2009 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
…pondering the history of success in performance for teams when they’ve signed aged centers over aged other positions in the history of the NHL.
My suspicion is if the center’s big job is to be the quarterback at both ends of the ice that’s tough to ask of an old man – even if he’s wise and wiley.
An aged winger brings leadership, but not so much of that laggy decrepit shaky both-ends-of-the-ice play aftertaste, esp later in games/seasons.
by Icebat on Jun 17, 2009 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Couldn’t agree more. Koivu is a good guy, with decent, but diminishing skills, who will want to be paid more for past performance than for what he can contribute going forward. He’d by Nyls 2.0. No thanks.
by D'ohboy on Jun 17, 2009 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’d be skittish on signing any incoming FA to a multi-year contract for more than $3m per with the coming cap drop in 10-11.
by Bald Pollack on Jun 17, 2009 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
No, the caps don’t need more slightly built forwards. Its about the playoffs, not the regular season.
by Hunky Dory on Jun 17, 2009 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Think it’s more about play style than size. One thing that keeps jumping out at me about these wraps…everyone is over six feet and 200 lbs. I seem to recall that most teams felt that the Caps were bigger than their team. A good scrappy smaller guy wouldn’t necessarily be bad on this team.
by HateOffSeason on Jun 17, 2009 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
. . . the absolute need for a legitimate complimentary center for Semin.
This is a solid notion. I endorse it. Time to swap out C’s, eh? Let Ovie adapt to someone else, given that Le Lapin is more needy of Nicky’s assistance? Okay, I will go along with this. This swaps a gap at 2nd line C for a gap for 1st line (Ovie’s line) C. Gaps, gaps, gaps!
On the other hand, what about the impact of Feds on Semin, vis-a-vis mentoring, instructing, calming, leading, maturing, a Crash+Nuke kind of thing? Am I imagining this or is it real? If Feds goes to Siberia, will Semin implode? Regress? So maybe Feds hasn’t the legitimacy you’re talking about performance-wise. But what about his intangibles for Semin?
by Uncle C on Jun 17, 2009 9:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I hate to say it, but I think Feds’ pure usefulness in the Semin-mentoring experiment is pretty much over. I think Semin is on his own.
by DrinkingPartner on Jun 17, 2009 9:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Barring a fortuitous move, his center might be Nylander.
by Bald Pollack on Jun 17, 2009 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Which, in all absolute honesty, isn’t the worst thing in the world. Nyls has got to wake himself up, though, and be a solid contributor. And, with Semin, he should be able to.
by DrinkingPartner on Jun 17, 2009 9:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And, with Semin, he should be able to.
And, with Semin, he BETTER be able to. If Circles can work well with Ya-ya, he ought to be able work well with anyone. [sigh] I think Circles is it for us, for better or worse.
by Uncle C on Jun 17, 2009 9:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jagr’s a headcase, which Semin is, too, to a degree. But Jagr’s and Semin’s playing styles are very different. Jagr has an efficiency few players possess, which is one reason he was always so effective.
by DrinkingPartner on Jun 17, 2009 10:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And it’s not just the individual player’s style, but the team’s systems as well. The Jagr Rags weren’t nearly as north-south as this Caps team is.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jun 17, 2009 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And Jagr was the reason why they weren’t. If only we hadn’t had Bruce-fucking-Cassidy and Hanlon coaching, Jagr might’ve been a good addition.
by DrinkingPartner on Jun 17, 2009 10:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I hope we never have to hear Bruce’s name on these boards again lol!
by bigmac1124 on Jun 17, 2009 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, seriously, though. Having these guys coach was like telling Gretzky that his greatest asset to the team was by sitting on the bench. They were idiots. They misused Jagr completely, and started on Ovechkin the same way. Thank God we got AO BB.
by DrinkingPartner on Jun 17, 2009 10:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thank God we got AO, BB, AND the red jerseys back.
by bigmac1124 on Jun 17, 2009 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I’d think so. He spent more time with Semin on ES last year in half a season then he did all of this year alone, and seems to have clicked with Flash. I’d maybe throw Clark on the right wing for grit and you’ve got a decent-ish 2nd line.
by Bald Pollack on Jun 17, 2009 9:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why do you say this? Semin strikes me as the kind of person who needs 24/7 supervision.
by Uncle C on Jun 17, 2009 9:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Does he? Feds was gone for practically the last two months, and Semin wasn’t noticably worse. I think AO is more important in terms of keeping him focused than Feds.
by DrinkingPartner on Jun 17, 2009 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree. Sometimes I wonder if Semin wouold even be in North America if it weren’t for AO.
by bigmac1124 on Jun 17, 2009 9:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I can never forget the Philly series where Nicky Semin and Laich played so f-ing well together. If I remember correctly, they began playing together after game 2. So games 3-7, Backstrom racked up 5 points (4G1A), Semin had 7 points (3G4A) and Laich had 6 points (1G5A). Thats pretty solid production considering that means they scored 8 of the 15 goals scored during that time period. Now, Laich may be needed elsewhere, but if someone like Clark returns healthy and ready to play hard, he could easily fill that roll.
by amkcaps on Jun 17, 2009 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I keep coming to these threads late, but...
I believe JP is exactly right that Backstrom needs to be Semin’s center. But I think he should be Ovechkin’s center as well. I think this team would be at its best with Ovechkin-Backstrom-Semin, if they would learn to play together well and quit the cute. And I think it’s more than possible. That’s my prediction for next year. Ovechkin-Backstrom-Semin becomes the top line we all thought it could be.
by Gould Old Days on Jun 19, 2009 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Knocked off 2 points for bad fighting form :-)
Otherwise, he has exceptional hockey skills when he wants to show them.
by Sixstring59 on Jun 17, 2009 8:42 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
But here’s what you’re not considering: Semin used his bongo experience to inflict humiliation upon a Staal brother. You think Semin’s the laughing stock? Who’s the man who got felled by palms of fury?
by DrinkingPartner on Jun 17, 2009 9:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
LOL...good point
I hadn’t considered that. Thanks for the giggles…
by Sixstring59 on Jun 17, 2009 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It amazes me that’s always dropped in the telling. For crying out loud, Semin won that fight! I’d hope it embarrassed the hell out of Staal.
by gfcaps fan on Jun 17, 2009 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah, I gave Sasha a 1 point bump for “unique and effective Staal brother fighting style.” Gotta protect those golden hands.
by CaliCapsFan on Jun 17, 2009 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Going on record now with being concerned about Semin’s commitment to the team beyond this current contract and believe he’ll be tough to sign long term but completely worth it.
I agree about Semin’s commitment to the team, but I think it’s fair to question the team’s commitment to Semin. Is he a must sign if he misses another 20 games and his penchant for bad penalties continues?
He’s one of my favorite players. He has other- worldly offensive talent. But I dont think he is a slam dunk for GMGM.
Ilya kovulchuck is unrestricted after next season as well. If you are going invest long term in Semin, I think you have to look at the (so far), more durable (545 games played in the last 3 years) less penalized ( 60, 55, 52), equally high scoring (76, 87, 91) Kovulchuck. He’s a buddy with Ovie and he posted these numbers playing on some pretty awful teams.
by Direction 87 on Jun 17, 2009 8:46 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
A big “No, thanks” from me on Kovalchuk. He is the purest form of the one-trick pony, soft Euro player for me. Granted, his one trick is scoring, which is a valuable commodity. But he gives up as much as he brings to the table, in my books.
Semin can kill penalties and when he wants to, is a terrific defensive hockey player. He doesn’t always want to, which is part of the problem.
But he’s more valuable than Kovalchuk at this point, imo.
by fat_daddyo on Jun 17, 2009 9:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree that Semin is a better all around player, the problem seems to be that he doesn’t play enough because he’s hurt 25% of the time and can you afford in the the cap world to have one of your highest salaries go to a fantastic yet “fragile” player.
by Direction 87 on Jun 17, 2009 9:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I disagree. Kovalchuk is a great player. Not worth what someone will pay him on his next contract, but a great player nonetheless.
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by J.P. on Jun 17, 2009 9:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
How much more would you have to pay IK than AS and assuming that number isnt “crazy”, dont you have to look at that if your GMGM?
by Direction 87 on Jun 17, 2009 9:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
IK will command a solid 2m-3m more than Semin. No question.
by DrinkingPartner on Jun 17, 2009 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Kovalchuk will make top dollar. Semin’s a tier down.
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by J.P. on Jun 17, 2009 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’d say Semin’s quite the deal, as he does seem to bring more to the table than Kovy.
by DrinkingPartner on Jun 17, 2009 9:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So then back to my original premise, if Semin continues to be injury prone and doesn’t curb his bad penalty habit, is it worth it/ can they afford to sign IK? I agree Semin is a tier down, but might not be if he could stay healthy…he would post IK like numbers with a better plus minus. But can he stay healthy?
by Direction 87 on Jun 17, 2009 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
As long as he keeps coming back, who cares? He was there when we needed him most, and likely will continue to be. Hopefully, though, he will step up conditioning, which will give him some injury-resistance.
by DrinkingPartner on Jun 17, 2009 9:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
8
If he wants a 10 he needs to play a full season at the level he showed last year and stop taking dumbass penalties. I knew he was good, but I never figured he would actually live up to his potential, well, he did (albeit, in only 62 games).
by wittcap79 on Jun 17, 2009 9:06 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Trade Him
I contended that they should trade Semin and something for Pronger at the deadline. If they had done that, Sidney Crosby would not be getting his name etched on the Cup. They should still do it, or make some other deal involving Semin to bring in the defensive horses they need to win. Semin is by the far their most valuable expendable commodity they have, and he is too much of a head case to count on for the future.
The only risk is that trading Sasha will tick off Ovie, but Ovie needs to be a bigger man than that.
by Kirg on Jun 17, 2009 9:12 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I contended that they should trade Semin and something for Pronger at the deadline. If they had done that, Sidney Crosby would not be getting his name etched on the Cup.
That would have required some other move to offset Pronger’s additional cost. It also assumes Anaheim wants to make that trade and they seemed too be in a spot where only an offer they couldn’t refuse would sway them
Semin led the league in points per game and Pronger’s a 34 year old on the downside with one year on his contract. So you’re talking Semin plus another asset plus whatever the team would have to do to clear cap space and that’s an awful lot for Pronger.
by David M. Getz on Jun 17, 2009 9:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not sure what the infatuation is with Pronger? He’s old, slow, expensive and reckless.
by JSchon on Jun 17, 2009 9:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
To be honest, I’m not sure what the infatuation with the idea of getting a defenseman is. Right now the Capitals have Green, Poti, Schultz, Morrisonn, Erskine, Pothier, and Jurcina under contract (and under control for next season due to RFA status for some of the guys) and Carlson and Alzner seem to be knocking on the door. It’s entirely possible that by calender year 2010 the Caps could have nine NHL caliber defensemen and six guys good enough to play in the top two pairings.
Meanwhile the second line needs a center and the first line needs a right wing. To me those are much, much higher priorities.
by David M. Getz on Jun 17, 2009 9:39 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Completely agreed: what's up w/ this strange obsession
Team desperately needs more scoring depth, and some want to trade Semin? For a guy at the end of his career?
by CarlosLA on Jun 17, 2009 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed completely.
Right now, there’s an obvious need at #2 C and perhaps #1 or #2 RW. There’s a less obvious need on the blueline for the reason DMG notes.
My two cents? Address the #2C and RW issues this summer, and if the need on D becomes apparent during the season, make that your deadline move.
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by J.P. on Jun 17, 2009 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
My two cents? Address the #2C and RW issues this summer, and if the need on D becomes apparent during the season, make that your deadline move.
Good call JP. Those holes are center and right wing are less likely to go away. Sure it’s possible Nylander or Clark return to form or Fehr or Fleischmann turn in to top line guys – but it’s very, very unlikely. On the other hand I expect the team to have a very solid defense next season, even if I don’t know exactly who it will consist of or what role they’ll play.
by David M. Getz on Jun 17, 2009 9:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’d say Fehr and Clark have the best chances at turning in successful 1st line duty, but that’s a crapshoot in itself. I think both positions have to be addressed in some fashion, though, either with a draft, trade, or FA.
by DrinkingPartner on Jun 17, 2009 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Address the #2C and RW issues this summer, and if the need on D becomes apparent during the season, make that your deadline move.
Probably one of those forward spots is going to be addressed by someone moving up from Hershey. If Bourque makes the club then he could move to the third line and Laich could get full time duty on the second line. The #2 center probably has to come from outside the organization, but they have enough assets where they could probably pick up a player in the last year of his contract to fill that spot. I hear what you’re saying about waiting on the D-man but the longer you wait the more the price goes up. To me, the Caps defensive corp is extremely talented and in a couple of years is going to be very solid, but they are just way too young right now. They need a 30-something stay-at-home defenseman to bring some veteran leadership to that group. Doesn’t have to be Pronger, but they need someone who will scare the begeesus out of guys like Crosby who have no fear around our net.
by b.orr4 on Jun 17, 2009 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’ve said it before, but I don’t think putting Bourque on the 3rd line will do any good. He’s a skill player and, much like Flash, I think he needs to play on a skill line to bring out the best in him. He’s been given shots on the 3rd and 4th lines, thus far, and has a goal to show for it. Give him some linemates who have some offensive acumen and let’s see what he can do.
by DrinkingPartner on Jun 17, 2009 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Probably one of those forward spots is going to be addressed by someone moving up from Hershey. If Bourque makes the club then he could move to the third line and Laich could get full time duty on the second line. The #2 center probably has to come from outside the organization, but they have enough assets where they could probably pick up a player in the last year of his contract to fill that spot.
So would that then yield a top six of:
Ovechkin-Backstrom-?
Laich-[aquisition]-Semin
I hear what you’re saying about waiting on the D-man but the longer you wait the more the price goes up.
Not necessarily. To stay on track with a lot of the comments here, I can easily see a situation where Pronger’s cheaper in February than he would be right now.
by David M. Getz on Jun 17, 2009 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So would that then yield a top six of:
Ovechkin-Backstrom-?
Laich-[aquisition]-Semin
Well, if he’s healthy Fehr would be the logical choice for the top line. Outside of Nylander (ugg!), I just don’t see any in-house options for the #2 center.
To stay on track with a lot of the comments here, I can easily see a situation where Pronger’s cheaper in February than he would be right now.
Don’t know if I agree. If Pronger is available in February, I could see 20 teams lining up to get him thinking he could be the final piece to the puzzle which is sure to drive up his price. Getting him during the summer allows you to start the season with him in the #1 pairing with Green. That allows the younger guys to play in pairings better suited to their relative experience. In turn, that will make it easier for them to grow as NHL defenseman and not be rushed like Eminger.
by b.orr4 on Jun 17, 2009 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don’t know if I agree. If Pronger is available in February, I could see 20 teams lining up to get him thinking he could be the final piece to the puzzle which is sure to drive up his price.
Of course that’s possible too. But at this point a team that wanted to get Pronger would have to bowl Anaheim over with an offer (or so it seems) and at the trade deadline it could become a situation where Pronger’s going to be shipped and it’s just an issue of who makes the best offer for him, which would probably be less.
by David M. Getz on Jun 17, 2009 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agree with this. To use the NBA analogy, part of Pronger’s value lies in his expiring contract. Sure he’s older and slower, but when his $6 mil comes off the books in summer of ’10, that will spell huge cap relief for whatever team has him (including Anaheim if they keep him). Anaheim has mucho leverage with his rights and should realize a premium for him if traded, though as you mention DMG, less so as the deadline approaches.
by Cluster on Jun 17, 2009 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think they need a D
I totally agree that a center and 1 or even 2 RW’s are needed (fehr just aint it for me). I also think the D needs some work. It needed to be done years ago. There is no legit S@H, no one to strike fear, no one to anchor an otherwise tumultuous and waxing/waning defensive corp. Mentor? Sure, whatever. Just someone who is marquee. There are NO rock solid defensemen on the Caps, and it looks like it made a difference, often.
by Hunky Dory on Jun 17, 2009 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t think the issue is so much whether they could use that type of defenseman – every team could use a legit defensive defenseman who anchors the defense and provides a physical presence – so much as it is whether or not they need to fill those holes up front first.
by David M. Getz on Jun 17, 2009 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m still wary of GMGM’s obstinant refusal to go after Bouw. I think we’ll hear he went after him when all is said and done.
by DrinkingPartner on Jun 17, 2009 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t think that would have been feasible given the salary cap.
by David M. Getz on Jun 17, 2009 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I meant future tense, not past, sorry.
by DrinkingPartner on Jun 17, 2009 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That’s the rub. Had that hole been filled appropriately, it wouldn’t be there now, when obvious needs up front are a center and maybe multiple RW’s. In the end, does it matter what sequence they get done in, or just that they are done? Perhaps bolstering the blueline affords the ability to use Hershey guys. To a degree, the holes will be filled from within. To what degree? If fixes only came, or even partly arrived, from outside the org, would filling holes with good to very good talent make enough difference to compensate for a blueline led by Poti? (Green isn’t leading the defense so much as leading the defensive point totaling, though he’s doing that to a giddy degree). just some thoughts.
by Hunky Dory on Jun 17, 2009 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I do think it matters what order they get filled in because, due to the salary cap and the fifty contract limit, you’re limiting your resources when you make a move and you thus run the risk of tying your own hands when it comes to future moves. That runs a number of risks. For example, the team could go out and get a defenseman and then find they don’t have the resources (being it cap space or movable assets) to get the forwards they need and they’ve exchanged upgrades as positions where they’re essential for an upgrade they really didn’t need, and that’s not a good trade.
Alternatively something could happen where the team says “Okay we have seven million in cap space to get another defenseman and a center, let’s assume five million for the center and use two million on a defenseman” and then finds out there are no five million dollar centers available; there are only three million dollar guys and they’re sitting their with a glut of cap space that they don’t need and isn’t being used to make the team better.
Use the big assets to fill the big holes and use whatever’s left over to tinker and refine the roster.
by David M. Getz on Jun 17, 2009 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
My two cents? Address the #2C and RW issues this summer, and if the need on D becomes apparent during the season, make that your deadline move.
You do realize that you’ve pretty much summed up the company line, although of course they don’t mention any deadline move because it’s irrelevant in June.
I trust your opinion far more than the screaming masses elsewhere, and it certainly makes sense.
by gfcaps fan on Jun 17, 2009 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Make an offer to Kris Versteeg, he’s young, fast and expendable. He is an RFA so you’ll lose draft picks but he won’t be expensive. Put him on either of the first 2 lines.
Montreal has 4 centers right now that are UFA’s or RFA’s. Plekanec, Higgins, Koivu and Lang.
by JSchon on Jun 17, 2009 9:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Any offer it would make sense for the Capitals to make to an RFA would be matched by their team.
by David M. Getz on Jun 17, 2009 9:56 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Maybe, maybe not. Versteeg isn’t considered to be one their most highly touted RW prospects, Makarov and Beach are those. Toews, Keith and Kane are coming up for huge raises 10/11.
by JSchon on Jun 17, 2009 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
But Versteeg was also good this year and has demonstrated that he can be effective in the NHL. That’s a guy you want to keep unless someone makes a dumb offer on him.
by David M. Getz on Jun 17, 2009 10:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Plus McPhee has shown a decided aversion to stealing players from other teams. I just don’t see him going the RFA route.
by b.orr4 on Jun 17, 2009 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I totally agree and I’m not really speaking for GMGM. I’m speaking for me, just a goof who doesn’t have the keys to the Capitals car.
I would not be surprised to see Versteeg gone in CHI.
by JSchon on Jun 17, 2009 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I would. He was valuable to them. Unless he gets signed to a Penner/Pisani contract, I’d be surprised if he wasn’t protected by CHI.
by DrinkingPartner on Jun 17, 2009 10:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
GMGM won’t make an offer for another team’s RFA. Ever.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jun 17, 2009 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I totally agree and I’m not really speaking for GMGM. I’m speaking for me, just a goof who doesn’t have the keys to the Capitals car.
I would not be surprised to see Versteeg gone in CHI.
by JSchon on Jun 17, 2009 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Nice recycling of your comment :-) A cyber tree is alive because of your efforts.
by b.orr4 on Jun 17, 2009 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was having connectivity issues. I’ll plant another cyber tree to make up for it.
by JSchon on Jun 17, 2009 10:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like Plekanec.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jun 17, 2009 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
We’ve had this discussion before, I believe, but isn’t he soft?
by DrinkingPartner on Jun 17, 2009 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
not much heart either. that, at least, is one thing Koivu still has over him.
p.s. my friends attended the Habs game when Koivu came back from his cancer treatment and they still say it was the most amazing and powerful/emotional experience they’ve ever had at a game. dude’s got mad heart.
by ns on Jun 17, 2009 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Koivu would make us a fine captain
I agree with your sentiment, ns…if only he were 26.
To tie in Plekanec with George’s clear aversion to offering publicly on RFA’s, how likely then does it make GMGM go to MON and say, "here’s who we really want of your C’s and what’s it going to take to get it done?’
from the house that Red Jesus built
by bigonetimer on Jun 17, 2009 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rec’d
Agree completely.
LIKE to have a crease clearing Dman
NEED 2 top 6 Fs
by gnuf on Jun 17, 2009 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Ditto (rec’d rec’d)
We made it this far without the D man we need
We have a new D coach and the same D players who are getting more seasoned.
If we weren’t losing the O talent and experience we’re losing right now I would keep beating the D-man horse, but I’ve laid that down for the time being to shore up before we become the Fabulous One-Dimensional Ovi Show on offense
Yes, we can’t forget Semin saved our asses earlier this season, and he proved again he’s a playoff performer
No, I don’t expect that he will change how he plays next season, the coaches need to keep him honest, but it’s an unrealistic expectation that he will change significantly in the near future.
by Icebat on Jun 17, 2009 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
(Semin’s attitude – when translated – shows he “knows it all”, and his production vindicates this in his mind. Thus he has a ways to go before he can improve his team game. I still love the highlight/marketing moments he provides, but I also worry Semin might be the player that brings the fans to the games and keeps eyes glued to tv’s, but whose presence may ultimately work against us reaching the pinnacle)
by Icebat on Jun 17, 2009 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe people think we need someone to stomp on Crosby with their skates? Personally, I hate Pronger. Borderline legal play is helpful in the playoffs, but Pronger is a dirty fucking jerk. Ask Kesler if he wants Pronger on his team.
by CaliCapsFan on Jun 17, 2009 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why not trade for a guy like Kevin Bieska. Vancouver needs some offense.
by JSchon on Jun 17, 2009 9:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
it would take Sasha to even get Vancouver to turn their heads re: Bieksa
from the house that Red Jesus built
by bigonetimer on Jun 17, 2009 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Without Semin in the 1st round against the Rangers, we likely don’t make it to Pittsburgh. We need Semin.
by DrinkingPartner on Jun 17, 2009 9:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It was a seven game series in which G7 was decided by a single goal – without a lot of individual guys (from Bradley to Varly) in the 1st round against the Rangers, we likely don’t make it to Pittsburgh.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jun 17, 2009 9:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So my argument is partially valid!
by DrinkingPartner on Jun 17, 2009 9:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
are you trying to make Jschon go all crazy?
by RedBirdie on Jun 17, 2009 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
A 7...
He exceeded my expectations in several regards, in that he was very good on the PK, providing both good defense and a legitimate threat for shorties (He set up Steckel how many times on shorties during the season?) It would have been higher, but for the penalties, and the occaisonal time where he takes a shot and then watches it as opposed to following it up.
How does he get to a 10… simple, stay off the IR (I think he can do that with shorter shifts and some conditioning) and cut the PIMs in half. His stats for 82 games project to 45-59-104. I’d be happy with 90% of that (40-54-94). No reason to think it isn’t possible…
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Caps on Jun 17, 2009 9:32 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
7 – I wanted to rate him higher but he so…
uhh...uhh...uhh...
by hotdog88gt on Jun 17, 2009 9:42 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
semin gets a 10 next year with the same numbers…penalty minutes are ok if they’re for fighting like the slaps of fury with staal…
by KWclevpark on Jun 17, 2009 9:43 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Playing the bongos gets a 10 in my book!
by bigmac1124 on Jun 17, 2009 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
8
His play was in the 9 to 10 range, but he missed 20% of games.
I’m pleasantly surprised by the votes here, since most of the posts on Sasha in the 2d half of the season were shockingly negative. He’s a beautiful and highly effective player. Take a page out of Earl Weaver’s book and focus on what he can do, not on what he can’t.
To get a 10 he has to repeat this year, add 10 games played and stop picking up retaliation penalties. Oh, and I’d feel more comfortable with my man-crush if he stopped diving. That’s about it.
by CarlosLA on Jun 17, 2009 9:44 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Well put – can’t get too many Earl Weaverisms on a hockey blog!
I think the trouble with these ratings summaries is the dwelling on the negative – the club was one win away from playing for the Eastern Conf final.
by S h a g g y on Jun 17, 2009 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
There are places on the web for all-sunshine-no-criticism “analysis.” This isn’t one of them.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jun 17, 2009 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think the trouble with these ratings summaries is the dwelling on the negative – the club was one win away from playing for the Eastern Conf final.
But even if the team had won that series or even had won the Cup it’d still be the case than Semin took too restraining fouls and missed a lot of games due to injury.
by David M. Getz on Jun 17, 2009 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Epitome of enigma
1) At the risk of repeating what others have written (some seem to be obsessed with us) already, Semin is the epitome of enigma. On the SAME shift he can dazzle fans with a slick open ice move then make the most bone headed pass one could imagine/take a horrendously bad penalty.
2) In deference to Ovechkin we’d say he’s the most gifted offensive player on the team. He even looked pretty good on the PK this season. An area that few caps fans would have expected Semin to be an asset. Its too bad he doesn’t yet seem to have the hockey sense to best use his God given enormous talent. Its a guess whether he can improve in this area or if he will always be an enigma.
3) To get a 10 Semin would have to be healthy ALL season (Play 75+ games) He’s have to score near 45-50 goals and be near 90+ points, continue to play on the PK effectively and reduce his ‘dumb’ give aways/penalties.
I find sometimes it's easy to be myself
sometimes I find it's better to be somebody else
by Fauxrumors on Jun 17, 2009 10:10 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Who could forget his two GWG against Boston? (Above Pic from the 80ft blast)
He received an eight from me. I don’t think I have anything to add this time other than what’s already been said. I’d really like to see him take less penalties next season and learn when to KISS.
by zephyr on Jun 17, 2009 12:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
oh, certainly a highlight of the season!
by RedBirdie on Jun 17, 2009 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Does anyone else think that he looks like a giant bug in that picture? I can’t see Tim thomas in that picture, just a confused bumblebee…
by DrinkingPartner on Jun 17, 2009 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tim Thomas poops pucks?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jun 17, 2009 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
just gobbles em up. he’s a fatty.
by Hunky Dory on Jun 17, 2009 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Actually, he’s a fatty-boombalatty
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jun 17, 2009 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
..he’s not a goalie…he’s an experiment.
by wittcap79 on Jun 17, 2009 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No, this picture is from another game. Thomas was wearing black uniform when Semin banged his 80-footer in Boston.
by fnralch on Jun 17, 2009 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah the black uni is the one that trickled in from the neutral zone right? This was that insanely fast slapshot at home that went top glove.
by zephyr on Jun 17, 2009 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
re-live it. Enjoy it. Smile. Laugh as Timmy Thomas races off the ice fast than you can say “You seriously let that by?!”
by RedBirdie on Jun 17, 2009 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
opps, link didn’t work
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7-GlQ2t43k
by RedBirdie on Jun 17, 2009 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Gave him a 5
My expectations for Semin are very high. He has the talent to be mentioned in the same breath as Ovi/Malkin/Crosby/Datsyuk. Yet, for all the talent he just hasn’t put it all together and i don’t think that he ever will. Something is missing upstairs. And because of that missing intangible he will never achieve his true potential.
The rating I gave him goes beyond stats. There are few people on this planet who posess the hockey skills he has, yet he simply does not maximize his potential to beocme a true force in this league. Semin, to me, is just a better version of Dimitri Khristich. Good talent. Pretty goals. Occasional dominance. But he doesn’t “get it”. He not a warrior who can lead us to the promised land. Such a waste.
For him to earn a 10 from me, he needs to produce at the same pace, stay healthy, stop the lazy penalties, and most importantly, make the right play (which is not necessarily the pretty play).
by topshelf_22304 on Jun 17, 2009 12:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I think that’s a little unfair. Now, if you’d worded that, “hasn’t put it all together for an entire season,” then yes, I would agree with you. But he can put it all together. He had a career year that saw him with the best PPG in the league. How is that not putting it all together? His PK ability on top of that is a nice +, too.
Just sayin’.
by DrinkingPartner on Jun 17, 2009 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Semin needs to put it together consistently, not in 10 game bursts followed by 20 game lulls.
I think Semin left a lot on the table this year in terms of what he could become. True, this may have been a career year for Sasha, but it also was for Mike Green. Neither one has reached their top potential.
by topshelf_22304 on Jun 17, 2009 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And you’re holding that against him? For as good of a year he did have, and the new skills he put forth, it wasn’t up to expectations?
by DrinkingPartner on Jun 17, 2009 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What did we really see from Semin that was new? Sure he killed penalties but it’s not like he was in the top 6 PK rotation.
A rating of 5, to me, means he basically did what was expected. I expected him to produce offensively at better than 1 PPG, be lazy on the backcheck, and continue making madenning, bone-headed mistakes. He lived up to par.
by topshelf_22304 on Jun 17, 2009 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
But you gave him a 4, which isn’t par. And he beat previous bests. By your own standards, i don’t understand your score, is all.
by DrinkingPartner on Jun 17, 2009 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I gave him a 5, which, to me, is par. (Technically, 5.5 is “par” – or the mid-point – but I round down for underachievers. ;)
by topshelf_22304 on Jun 17, 2009 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
5.5 on a scale of 1 to 10 is midpoint?
Math majors, help me out.
by Cluster on Jun 17, 2009 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Never mind, I see what you’re saying.
by Cluster on Jun 17, 2009 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Semin had 12 games that he didn’t register a point, ovechkin didn’t point in 17. Semin did not point in consecutive games once
by JSchon on Jun 17, 2009 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
semin also only had only 1 multi-point game from 11/12 to 2/14.
by Natty Bumppo on Jun 17, 2009 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
wasn’t he injured during a chunk of that time?
by RedBirdie on Jun 17, 2009 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yes, so he registered 1 multi-point game out of 21 GP.
by Natty Bumppo on Jun 17, 2009 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
semin also only had 1 multi-goal game from 11/12 to the last game of the season (4/11). so he registered 1 multi-goal game out of 46 GP.
after registering 4 multi-goal games his first 15 GP.
by Natty Bumppo on Jun 17, 2009 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
why do you think he isn’t bright? I bet most of us would seem like idiots if we were transplanted to Russia for work.
by CaliCapsFan on Jun 17, 2009 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nothing to do with his intelligence. he’s a smart hockey player when he wants to be. IMO, he just hasn’t made the committment to maximize his potential, hence, the Dimitry Khristich reference. Peter Bondra went through the same thing but then turned the corner in 94-95 (after bulking up 15 lbs).
by topshelf_22304 on Jun 17, 2009 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The only thing Semin has to do to be a perennial all-star is either stay healthy or learn to be effective when injured. It is a waste of time to lament the gap between his play and his potential; even with his well documented foibles, he is one of the best players in the NHL when healthy. Not many players have the shot to score game winners from 80 feet on Tim Thomas as they are trying to get off the ice. I realize this was Thomas’ fuckup, but even without his game evolving, his skills are, as Ovie says, sick.
by CaliCapsFan on Jun 17, 2009 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So you’re saying that the current Semin is a finished product, and what we see is what we’re going to get?
by topshelf_22304 on Jun 17, 2009 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
no. I am saying that even were he to give us what he currently does for 80+ games/season he is a great NHLer.
by CaliCapsFan on Jun 17, 2009 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
We’ll just have to disagree. I think that Semin, in his current form, is not going to play as impactful a role as he could in terms of leading us to a Stanley Cup, even if he stays healthy for 80 games and puts up 100 pts/season. There’s an element missing to his game that prevents him from elevating to the next level.
by topshelf_22304 on Jun 17, 2009 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Even though he’s by far played his best all-around games in the playoffs?
by DrinkingPartner on Jun 17, 2009 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’d have to disagree with that, considering he seems to have played better in the post-season than in the regular season in my opinion. Limited by injury against Pitt, but very strong series’ against the Flyers in 08 and the Rangers in 09. not purely points, but in terms of playing tougher, fighting through checks, backchecking, not diving, cutting back on the restraining fouls, etc etc etc.
by GusDaMan on Jun 17, 2009 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i think this is really the crux of the issue when evaluating semin. at 25, is it reasonable to expect that he will keep improving? or is he a “headcase” (someone else’s words) that will always be something of a streaky, RF-prone player? just because we know semin idolizes datsyuk and obviously datsyuk is as all-around a player as there is in the NHL, it’s fun to note that datsyuk didn’t hit his stride—at least in terms of statistics—until he was 26 years old.
by Natty Bumppo on Jun 17, 2009 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think his streakiness reflects his inability to stay healthy and play hurt. People just don’t like Semin the way they do other Caps for whatever reason, hence the obsession with his negatives. All I am saying is that he is an elite player already when healthy. If his game improves significantly, he is a threat to win a Hart. I really don’t understand this obsession people have with his restraining fouls. It is shitty, but so is Ovie’s habit of giving the puck away all the time which no one harps on.
by CaliCapsFan on Jun 17, 2009 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
so count me in the camp that isn’t sold on the development of fehr or flash longterm, and is hoping against hope we find some way to sign both backstrom and semin. but i think we harp on semin’s deficiencies because he has so much skill, and because they all seem to boil down to discipline. AO has had basically one streak (at the beginning of this past season) where he wasn’t putting up consistent stats. without the numbers in front of me, semin has had a ton of them as a cap, and blaming so many off-games on injuries is too much conjecture for me. plus, RFs were among the top 2 or 3 problems for the team as a whole, so when one of the team’s “elite” players is the biggest culprit, people point fingers. not for nothing, but a penchant for RFs is a lot more damaging to a team than a penchant for turnovers (especially as forwards).
by Natty Bumppo on Jun 17, 2009 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed that RFs are worse than TOs, just trying to make a point. People don’t go nearly as apeshit about dumb penalties from Morrison.
I doubt Semin will ever be as consistent as AO in terms of point production, but it is unfair to compare Semin to the best winger in the world and concluded that he is wanting. Every winger comes up short offensively when compared to AO. AO will almost certainly end his career as easily the best left wing of all time. Semin won’t, but he is still an elite player by any reasonable measure. How many left wings would you rather have on your second line ahead of Semin?
Zetterberg
Parise
Kovalchuk
After those guys, I can’t think of anyone I would absolutely want over Semin, although that may reflect more on my inability to think of great LWs. Of the 150+ skaters that play left wing over the course of an NHL season, Semin is already in the top 10 and that constitutes elite in my book.
by CaliCapsFan on Jun 17, 2009 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
so when i put quotation marks around elite, that was because you used the word, but not because i disagreed with you. still, fair to say that it is uncommon for an elite player to lead his team by a wide margin in RFs/60? i’m usually a pretty ardent semin defender, but what strikes me is that his shortcomings seem so correctable. hence the excitement that fedorov’s arrival had helped him turn a corner in his mental game. as great as semin is on the second line, i wouldn’t want to pay him like one of the top two players on my team, and the caps are fortunate to have three higher priorities in terms of salary.
(btw, morrrisssonnnn’s RFs have been a pretty constant gripe IMO).
by Natty Bumppo on Jun 17, 2009 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think we basically agree, it just gets to me when people lose the forest for the trees with Semin. It IS frustrating to see someone who clearly has the skill set to be a Hart finalist fall short, but sometimes people throw him under the bus, which is absurd. I hope like hell he is on the team after next year, but I would absolutely resign Backstrom over Semin.
As for fouls, I am optimistic that with Alzner in and Morrison out (please!), the caps should drop at least 60 penalty minutes next year, which would put the caps in the middle of the pack as a team.
by CaliCapsFan on Jun 17, 2009 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
nice! i agreed to disagree with someone up above, and i’ll agree to agree down here. all points.
by Natty Bumppo on Jun 17, 2009 5:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I Love Semin- I gave him an 8
I do. I like the head cases, for the entertainment value. And this kid is a headcase. He’s obstinate, pigheaded, not particularly bright, but not stupid, and absolutely brilliant with the puck. Enigma was a good description. He does things that make me slobber. (heh.) On any given night, Semin can turn a Caps game into Must See TV. He’s worth the price of admission. I’ll take 34 goals, 45 assists and +25 from a 25 year old. He only gets better. He makes the Caps very very dangerous. If the Caps fill the holes properly, this wound up monkey will start clapping symbols all the way to the cup.
As for round 2, I watched him get slashed and whacked repeatedly by Orpik until his hands were useless. The guy with the puck, and the refs missed it every time, even when they were watching it. Lemiuex used to complain about that (rightly so) and the NHL claimed they were putting a stop to it. I don’t hold him responsible for that injury at all. He was awesome against the Rangers.
The problem is he doesn’t play the full 82 games in spirit. Some days, he partied too hard the night before (these guys party) and the penalties come. It can’t all be roses. I want him to stay. He will.
by Hunky Dory on Jun 17, 2009 12:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Semin is such a headcase you can absolutely seem him starting to flip out if he has to wait too long during the shootout. Its really remarkable. He was, however, slightly less headcase-tastic in 2008-2009. Good for the team, bad for the entertainment value.
by RedBirdie on Jun 17, 2009 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Some days, he partied too hard the night before (these guys party) and the penalties come.
If that’s true, and I’m McPhee, I trade him away without a second thought.
by David M. Getz on Jun 17, 2009 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Then McPhee would also be trading away #52 (remind me to tell story at Baileys)
But, then again, after reading this, maybe off-ice antics and partying during the season and playoffs pay off. (Long read, but cool story)
by Cluster on Jun 17, 2009 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The difference there is that it doesn’t seem to adversely affect Green’s play. If a guy can stay out all night and produce, I don’t care. If he’s putting his social life before his job and putting his team in a position to lose games because of it, I’m not interested in having him on the team.
by David M. Getz on Jun 17, 2009 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If a guy can stay out all night and produce, I don’t care.
See Mantle, Mickey Charles
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jun 17, 2009 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
To speculate as to the effects of the off-ice lifestyles on the players on-ice performance is as silly as speculating about the recent steroids allegations. That’s not what I’m saying about Green, and I don’t think that is what anyone should say about Semin. It’s quite funny to hear someone actually say that Semin’s penalties were a result of hangovers. Ridiculous.
These guys are young, well-conditioned, and recover just fine. How do you say “Hair of the Dog” in Russian?
by Cluster on Jun 17, 2009 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The verb is “opohmelit’sya” (to take the hair of the dog).
by fnralch on Jun 17, 2009 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
without going into it too much, the boys party. Laich isn’t called a ladies man because he’s meeting girls online. These guys go out. They travel. They’re loaded, and they’re in their early 20’s. They all do it, I bet every young hockey player, surely many young athletes. Do I know for a fact? Yes. Do i need to say more? Perhaps, but I won’t. nothing I say is going to convince anyone of anything, anyway. But if you take a look at the Caps season, the games they no one showed up, the way they performed, there were more than a few times when they weren’t up to snuff. Its not like Carey Price is the only kid in the NHL partying. I AM NOT saying any Caps are doing what Price did, but they sure as hell drink. You get the picture.
Gretzky’s oilers were well known for their partying. Small towns in Canada talk. Canadian boys drinking should be a given.
by Hunky Dory on Jun 17, 2009 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The issue isn’t what the players are doing, it’s how it affects their performance. A guy can be out all night, drinking, smoking, heading all around town, doing this, that, and the other and I don’t really care as a fan and wouldn’t really care if I were management as long as the guys showed up to play to next day. But if a guy doesn’t have enough control or doesn’t know his own limits in terms of being able to show up and play near his potential, it’s not an issue I want to deal with as part of the management team, the same way I wouldn’t want to deal with someone who was constantly showing up overweight and out of shape.
by David M. Getz on Jun 17, 2009 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed, its how they perform in the end. But in the end, he had 34 goals, 79 points and +25.
Esa Tikkanen drank 10 miller lights before walking into the game and missing the empty net. The bartender that served him asked him what time he had to be at the rink. He finished up and headed out. Thats an example of performance being affected. Same guy on the Oilers was drinking and doing lines all night. 5 Stanley Cups.
I’m sure semin scored great goals the night after he partied. At other times, he wasn’t on. Its an 82 game season, September to (hopefully) June. I don’t expect anyone to be on all the time. Ovechkin is a freak, buthe’s also gonna wear his body down quickly. Youthful exuberance says “russian machine never break”. He’ll eventually be saying “pass the tylenol 3”. Likely. he’ll be washing it down with Vodka.
by Hunky Dory on Jun 17, 2009 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just curious, ‘cause I have a hunch the boys play hard off the rink too, but what are you basing your assertion that alcohol use is impacting Semin’s game?
from the house that Red Jesus built
by bigonetimer on Jun 17, 2009 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
should be “on what…”
from the house that Red Jesus built
by bigonetimer on Jun 17, 2009 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
and its not just alcohol use. If he stayed up until 4 at a club with a bunch of hot girls, that still counts. You can be at a party all night, not drink much, and still be out way too late. Ovechkin and Semin like clubs (as does Feds) and they aint leaving the club at 1130. Its its a game night, they aren’t getting to the club until 1130.
They should NOT put a team in Vegas.
by Hunky Dory on Jun 17, 2009 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i’ve always wanted to just hang out at the russia house in dupont for three or four nights straight in hopes of running into them. love that place.
by Natty Bumppo on Jun 17, 2009 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, and the waitresses are pretty hot as well.
by D'ohboy on Jun 17, 2009 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
apparently I am not bright as I posted this in the wrong place.
why do you think Semin isn’t bright, at least relative to his hockey peers? I bet most of us would seem like idiots if we were transplanted to Russia for work. Maybe he’s no Joe Juneau, but how do you judge the quality of his mind when essentially never speaks English.
by CaliCapsFan on Jun 17, 2009 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Actually, given the whole “Crosby sucks” interview, I might argue that he’s pretty bright, just in that he developed his own opinions about Crosby’s style of play, which is to say that it’s very different from his own.
I think Semin is plenty smart.
by DrinkingPartner on Jun 17, 2009 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t think that saying all that was smart. Truthful maybe, smart no. Somethings you don’t put on paper/camera.
by Hunky Dory on Jun 17, 2009 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wait, why should he be careful about what he says? This is America.
Also, none of the Russian players, Malkin/Gonchar included, thought he was being inflammatory. It was clearly a misinterpretation.
by DrinkingPartner on Jun 17, 2009 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
and its not like Semin was engaging in a bit of “homerism.” He could have easily said he enjoyed a Russian player better; instead, he goes and picks Kane as an example of someone whose game he likes. Which tells me he’s aware of the rest of the league, somewhat.
by RedBirdie on Jun 17, 2009 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I gave him an 8, mostly because of that first month. He’s still maddening at times with his penalties and occasional odd choices of when to dangle and when to shoot, but he was just way too good this year to score much below that.
To get a 5 next season, he needs this year’s numbers over a 70+, maybe a few fewer PIMs (unless they come from fighting obv).
To get a 10 he needs to approach 50/50/100, and stay out of the box.
-d
by meep_42 on Jun 17, 2009 12:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Would Semin take a “hometown” discount to stay in DC with his buddies Ovie and Backstrom? We all know about his language issues, although he knows English way better than he lets on, and he doesn’t seem like the guy most likely to make new friends in new locker room. Although I suppose Caps fans don’t have to worry about Pittsburgh trying to poach him!
by RedBirdie on Jun 17, 2009 1:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I think that he and Ovechkin are such good friends, the only place Semin would go, by choice, is the KHL. I think he would take about as much as he could to stay on the Caps. I do not see him going anywhere else in the NHL by choice. If he were traded, I’d be curious to see how it works out for him. That team better have Russians.
This is also the best scenario for the Caps, IMHO. Semin taking less to remain in Washington is exactly the kind of precedent mngt wants to set. Detroit wins because of it (except for that last game 7, unfortunately).
by Hunky Dory on Jun 17, 2009 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It is hard for me to see Semin in the NHL for too much longer. If we were to win the cup next year (let it be so), I could see him bolting to mother Russia. Can’t really blame him, he might make more, the style of play and ice dimensions are better suited to his game, he will still compete at the highest level (i.e. on the Olympic team), and he would be home.
by CaliCapsFan on Jun 17, 2009 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t think he’s THAT unhappy here, anymore. I think he’s finally adjusted. Plus, his friends are here in Washington. The ones we care about, anyway.
by DrinkingPartner on Jun 18, 2009 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Seven
Despite his high level of production/game, I think Semin underperformed a tad offensively. He’s got the talent to score 40 goals a year consistently. He’s got to find a way to stay healthy. (“Hello. . . Pot? Yeah, this is Kettle. I just wanted to let you know you’re black. . . Cool. Later, man.”)
I also think his lack of discipline hurt the team. I agree with fat_daddyo: he needs to grow up, quit retaliating and quit diddling unnecessarily with his stick.
However, the guy made massive leaps and bounds defensively this year. He went from being a major defensive liability to one of the players I felt comfortable with on the ice during almost any situation. His contribution to the PK was phenomenal, but I’m shocked/disappointed that he didn’t score a shorty.
Offensively, I’d give him a 5, defensively a 9, so he comes out with a seven.
by D'ohboy on Jun 17, 2009 2:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Good points D’oh. But I’m intrigued by your comment about him “underperforming” offensively, despite the relatively high production/game. He surely would’ve hit the 40 plateau had he not missed some games. Can you elaborate?
by Cluster on Jun 17, 2009 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ultimately, games played and aggregate production are part of what Ted (and, since we buy tickets, by proxy us) is paying for. Part of that for Sasha will be staying healthy, and the other part is maintaining his focus game-in, game-out. When Sasha shows up, he’s just as dominant a player as Ovie, but the problem is, he doesn’t always show up and unlike Ovie, he doesn’t run around hitting everyone when his shots aren’t going in.
Also, I think that his lack of shorthanded goals (and his relatively low goal production on the PP) are mild disappointments.
Again, I only say that I was disappointed offensively because my expectations were so high. Likewise, I was so pleasantly surprised with his progress on defense because my expectations were rather low.
by D'ohboy on Jun 17, 2009 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think you can put Sasha down for at least 4 SHGs next season. Maybe more… “mark it 8, dude” I agree though, if he continues to get PK time next season on as regular a basis as this season and can avoid the injury bug, he may be a large piece of the puzzle that gets DC the Cup. I also have this funny feeling that, while Ovi will always be Top Dog on the team, it’ll be Sasha that ends up potting the series-clincher (when that blessed day arrives). After all, what would you expect from an E-nigma?
by war_capitals on Jun 17, 2009 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Semin undoubtedly would have hit 40 goals had he not been injured. He had 34 playing only 62 games. There’s always risk in projecting such things, but he was certainly on pace to break the 40 goal mark. In addition, I would say that some production was possibly lost in the games immediately following his return to the ice. So, who knows, a healthy Semin might break the 50 mark.
by RedBirdie on Jun 17, 2009 2:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
At this point, anything said is going to be repetitive. I give him an eight. His performance was way more than I expected at the beginning of the season. But he’s got to stay healthy. Look, it’s not his fault if someone slugs him in the back. I probably couldn’t even sit at my desk to work if my back was messed up. So, I’m not blaming him for getting injured, just observing that he seemed to be injury prone. And cut down on the hooking penalties. Really.
by gfcaps fan on Jun 17, 2009 3:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I don;t think getting cross checked in the back is injury prone.
Red Birdie is correct, he would have had more goals if he didn’t get injured, knocked off his streak, and have to get back into game shape.
by Hunky Dory on Jun 17, 2009 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Expectations not grounded in reality
Some of these comments about what Sasha needs to do for the 10 are really laughable: score 50 goals, score 40 goals, score 90 points, etc.. Do you mean in today’s NHL, or in the early 80’s version?
I think you all know how many 50 goal scorers the NHL had last season. Do you know many 50 goal seasons the NHL has had in the last 3 yrs? 6.
Lower the bar to 40 goals, and the NHL had 8, 8 and 10 in the past three seasons (btw, that’s aided by 4 players hitting exactly 40 last year… raise the bar to 41 and things look even tougher).
How many players scored 40+ in all three of the last three seasons? Two: AO and Kovalchuk. Lower the bar: How many scored 40+ in both of the last two seasons? Um, it’s still only those same 2 guys.
How many 90 point scoreres were there in the last three seasons? 7, 8 and 14
How many players scored 90+ pts in all three seasons? One. AO.
Lower the bar: How many scored 90+ in both of the last two (in addition to AO)? Two. Gino and Datsyuk.
Maybe some expectations need to be reassessed.
by CarlosLA on Jun 17, 2009 5:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I can imagine Semin scoring 50. It’s the top I can see him realistically doing, so it’s a 10. Just like a 1 would be something like Steck’s scoring totals.
-d
by meep_42 on Jun 17, 2009 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If Jonathan Cheechoo can score 56 goals in a post-lockout season, why can’t Alex Semin score 50?
If Zach Parise can score 94 points in a post-lockout season, why can’t Alex Semin score 90?
Here’s an idea – you have your expectations of what’s possible and let other people have theirs.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jun 17, 2009 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Some of these comments about what Sasha needs to do for the 10 are really laughable: score 50 goals, score 40 goals, score 90 points, etc.. Do you mean in today’s NHL, or in the early 80’s version?
As others have mentioned, Semin would have scored 45 goals, 59 assists, and 104 points if he’d played 82 games this season. I don’t think it’s unreasonable to say that the guy doing the same thing he did this season but without getting hurt is the best possible season someone could imagine for him.
by David M. Getz on Jun 17, 2009 6:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think to get a 10 from me, Sasha would have to score 45-50 goals, 90-odd points, be at least +20 and play well on the penalty kill.
I think that’s a realistic possibility for one season where he puts everything together. I don’t think a player could consistently get 10s, because the expectations would then change. If you don’t think that’s realistic, look at all the players post-lockout such as Cheechoo, Parise, Gionta, etc who have put up one amazing season. For me, a 10 season is unbelievably good, it’s like Gionta’s 05-06, or Hejduk’s 02-03; it’s the career year.
Now, as for the ability of Sasha to score 40 consistently, I think it’s unbelievable that he didn’t score at least 5 shorthanded goals given some of the chances he had. I also think that he became more of a “disher” than a shooter on the PP last year (and the stats bear this out). He has scored 38-26-34 (sounds pretty hot, eh?) in three shortened seasons. If he can just manage to play 78 games every year, I think that he could conceivably reach 40, or very near it, with consistency. I think his assists might take a bit of a hit in the process, perhaps dropping his point total, but I think that’s well within his reach.
by D'ohboy on Jun 17, 2009 7:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Great season for Semin. It almost seems like expectations for him are ridiculously high. He would have to get the MVP award to live up to expectations.
Yes, he’s taken some “stupid” penalties but overall, he has done better. He has improved a great deal in defense over past seasons. It’s not his fault that Backes of the St. Louis Blues cross checked him in the back or Orpik (i.e. Orprick) kept slashing him in the playoffs. Stay healthy.
In many ways, Semin reminds me of my first born child.
by CapsFan75 on Jun 17, 2009 6:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
10 for first 20 games, 8 until Game 82, 6 for playoffs. 8.
by red army line on Jun 17, 2009 10:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Washington
|
22 | 13 | 5 | 4 | 30 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
19 | 8 | 4 | 7 | 23 |
|
Atlanta
|
18 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 22 |
|
Florida
|
20 | 9 | 9 | 2 | 20 |
|
Carolina
|
21 | 4 | 12 | 5 | 13 |
(updated 11.21.2009 at 12:53 AM EST)
Certain photos copyright © 2009 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.
