Alex Semin is undoubtedly the most talented player left in free agency, but he's also the most criticized. Some of it he deserves, but he takes a lot of crap he doesn't deserve. Here are some notes on Semin, the possibility of Shane Doan ending up with a division rival and more.
- As you all know, I'm a fan of Semin and I think he's a damn good hockey player. Sure there are things he can improve on, but every single player in the NHL has aspects of their game they can improve on. In my opinion the good outweighs the bad, and I'd take a shot at him any day of the week.
Jeff Angus, who writes for AngusCertified, DobberHockey and more, wrote a fantastic piece at AngusCertified.com yesterday on Semin. He looks at why Semin doesn't deserve the criticism he gets, his underrated defensive game and how he continues to produce even without top players on his line. I strongly recommend reading it here, and following Angus on twitter. He does great work and knows his stuff.
- Sticking with Semin, there are some reports out there suggesting Semin has, or will, sign with the Pittsburgh Penguins soon. I contacted his agent Mark Gandler and he declined to comment. We'll have to wait and see what happens but one thing is certain: he would rip teams apart playing on a line with Sidney Crosby.
- Several reports were released yesterday regarding Shane Doan. It's believed that the Los Angeles Kings, Detroit Red Wings, New York Rangers and the Penguins are on the list of teams he is willing to play for if he doesn't re-sign in Phoenix. I really don't see him even considering the New Jersey Devils, so Devils fans should be happy if he decides not to sign with a division rival like the Rangers or Penguins. Ultimately I think he'll re-sign with the Coyotes, but I could be wrong.
- I haven't touched on Krys Barch much since he was signed by the Devils, but I don't have a problem with it at all. As a matter of fact, I like it. He signed for 750K per season, so it's not like the Devils broke the bank to get him. He's a tough son of a gun, and playing in the Atlantic Division you need guys like that. Sure they already have Cam Janssen, Ryan Carter, Steve Bernier and David Clarkson, among a couple others, who are willing to drop the mitts, but you can never have too much team toughness.
I'm sure I speak for Pete DeBoer and all Devils fans when I say I would rather have Barch taking on an opponent's heavy weight than Clarkson, who scored 30 goals this past season.
Whether you agree with having a tough guy or two on the Devils or not, it's required when you're playing in the Atlantic Division. The Philadelphia Flyers have Zac Rinaldo, Jody Shelley, etc. The New York Rangers have Mike Rupp, Michael Haley, etc. The Pittsburgh Penguins have Tanner Glass, Steve MacIntyre, etc. and the New York Islanders have Matt Martin, Eric Boulton, etc. All of those guys like to stir the pot, run your best players and so forth and the Devils can't let division rivals walk all over them 24 times per season.
Barch, nor Janssen, need to play every night. They won't complain when they're not in the lineup, and they'll do their job when they get in the lineup. I like the fact Janssen was brought back on a two-way deal and I have no problem with the Barch signing.
Sticking with Barch, here is a taste of what he will bring to the Devils. Hopefully he picks a new dance partner, though.
New Jersey Devils Blogger • 
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