A lot of folks said Alexander Semin would be a cancer for the Hurricanes, well, what he has shown me the 1st three games of the season, is if he is a cancer, I hope the entire team catches what he has.
He isn't putting the puck in the net yet, but he is playing solid 2 way hockey, His defense has been a lot better than I could have hoped for and he is even playing on the PK, and he asked to play there. He is showing he is a total team player and has bought into what Kurt Muller and the Carolina Hurricanes are striving for. Kurt has an accountability rule, that is you are accountable not only for your actions, but to your teammates and Semin appears to have accepted that 100%.
Now is this because he is playing for a long term contract after this year? Maybe, but I truely believe he is comfortable in Raleigh, enjoys this team and he has been accepted by the fans and his teammates. And hopefully, he and the Hurricanes can come to a long term deal in the near future.
I know the season is early, but if you haven't watched him play yet, give it a shot, He has a smile on his face. He is looking to pass the puck to his teammates, and he hustles back on defense. He is even covering for the Defense when they make a rush or move in from the point on the PP. He really is showing he can be a complete player in the NHL.
Another complete game from Semin and He scored his first goal, a snipers goal for sure, top shelf glove side through traffic. What was great about the goal, was seeing his reaction when all of his teammates rushed to him to congratulate him on the score. Eric Staal was the first to get there with a hugh grin on his face and you could see the excitement in Semin eyes and face.
There is no doubt his teammates are enjoying playing with him and he is enjoying himself in Carolina. Hopefully, he will decide to stay and at a reasonable price.
Semin was apphensive in first couple of game on offensive side, but what a rocket to tie game in buffalo last night, loving Tim Brent play, penalty kill has kicked in, and Jordan and eric are playing well, and skinner is a beast... Hopefully, faulk was not too injured too bad.. Bruins in on monday.. Oh, kudos to Dan Ellis, kept the Canes in the game early on, big, to go from 0-2 to 2-2..
Once again Semin with the assist last night to E. Staal for the game winner. And he played some solid Defense. He is a solid all around player who has bought into Kurt Muller's system and into the Hurricanes team concept. I just hope Rutherford signs him to a long term (5 year) contract before the end of the year. This man is a player for sure and will only get better in Kurts system.
And he and E. Staal will be awesome together, maybe better than he was with Ovie.
And he and E. Staal will be awesome together, maybe better than he was with Ovie.
They only very rarely ever played together.
As Sister said, give it some time. The way Semin produces is in streaks. Occasionally you get a few games where he's shooting well, making timely passes and not sucking entirely on defense. Then you'll get very long stretches where he does extremely little and vanishes from the game entirely. Classic lazy Russian.
its not quitting time yet....but when things get tough this guy will go awol....he did against us in the playoffs a couple years ago...he straight up gave up...whining to officials behind the play while the Lightning went up ice and scored...no doubt he is talented....but he also lacks self motivation.
I blame that more on the team than I do him. There is a different attitude in Carolina than there is in Washington. Just like I wouldn't expect him to "tank" in Tampa Bay either.
I think the people that surround him will keep him charged and keep him pushing. All we can do is wait and see, but I believe he will be able to maintian what he is doing now until the Hurricanes season is officially over and hopefully, that is after we raise our second Stanley Cup.
Another Strong Game by Semin. 1 assist but his defense was outstandiing. Yea, he is playing Defense and is asking to play more on the PK. He is fitting in nicely with the Hurricanes
he still has the occasional bout of laziness (granted i've only seen 2 games against the sens), but he looks much better in carolina then he did the last couple years in washington
