The knock on Alex Semin has always been that he doesn’t give 100% all of the time. He tends to disappear at times, particularly when his team might need him the most.
The former Washington Capitals winger took the league by storm during his first full season in the nation’s capital. He found the net 38 times and totaled 73 points in 78 games. Over the next four seasons Semin would score 128 goals, have one slap fight, help his team to three division titles and four premature playoff exits. Mixed bag to say the least, but it was one hell of a slap fight.
While his detractors will argue that Semin is talented enough to regularly put his name among the top scorers in the NHL, the talented Russian sniper has played almost his entire career in the shadow of another “Alex”. Though Semin and Ovechkin are fast friends, the name brought about a similar set of expectations for the younger of the Alex’s.
Semin’s talent has never been questioned. He has one of the deadliest right-handed shots in the NHL and his skills with the stick are elite. His skating, typical of the top-tier Russian players, is smooth and swift. What baffles the minds of coaches, analysts and possibly teammates is Semin’s inexplicable ability to become ordinary from time to time.
What is troubling about Semin, and what allowed the Capitals to let him hit the free-agent market is his inconsistency and declining stats. Since his career high of 84 points in 2010, Semin has put up back-to-back 54-point efforts. Coaching transitions in Washington can be to blame for his season last year as Semin’s style of play seemed to clash with Caps interim coach Dale Hunter.
A clean slate and a new lease on life awaits in Raleigh as the diminutive Russian wing joins former Penguin rival Jordan Staal on a Carolina Hurricane team projected by many to take the Southeast Division. Joining a division rival could be exactly the motivation that a temperamental sniper needs to get his groove back.
Playing alongside Carolina captain Eric Staal on the top line could pay huge dividends for the last place Canes and their newest weapon. Six matchups and a divisional rivalry could be just the kick in the pants Semin needs to show his true colors.