Follow me on Twitter @ToddCordell
There's been some talk that Carolina Hurricanes GM Ron Francis should use a buyout on forward Alex Semin.
In today's hotstove we discuss whether or not that is a good idea.
Todd Cordell: No
There is essentially no benefit from buying out Semin. The Hurricanes aren't a cap team, anyway, so ridding themselves of a couple million per season on the payroll doesn't do them any good; especially if they still have to pay Semin.
He wasn't very good last season but it was the first time since 2003-04 - he played 52 games that year - that he didn't score at least at a 20-goal pace or reach the 40 point plateau.
Semin shot 6.7% last year. Beyond that in all but one year of his career he shot at least 10.5%. He was rumored to be dealing with a wrist injury last season, which surely factored into his lack of scoring.
If the Hurricanes want to trade while retaining some salary in order to get an asset that could makes sense. Paying a player who is in line for a bounce back season to not play for the team does not.
Ryan Wilson: No
If the Hurricanes buyout Alex Semin they will be on the hook for the next six years for 2.33M each year.
That doesn't mean they shouldn't look to get rid of him. The better option would be to trade Semin with 50% of his salary retained. Yes that option is pricier per year at 3.5M but it is only for three years. The total money is less for the 50% retention (10.2M) vs the buyout at 13.98M. This matters to a club like the Hurricanes.
Tim Chiasson: No
Would they get huge cap relief from a Semin buyout? Absolutely, but they'd also keep him on the books for an additional three years beyond his current contract.
If the Hurricanes don't intend on needing the cap space they shouldn't buy him out and have the ghost of Alex Semin haunting them for three extra years.
I doubt Semin will be as horrible as he was last season and if he can score some goals this year and next the Hurricanes might be able to deal him as a rental in the final year of his contract. Even if they have to eat half of his salary to do it, having Semin off the payroll in three years and, potentially, getting something back for him is better than paying him to play elsewhere for the next six years.
They'd even be better off retaining half his salary in a trade for three years rather than buying him out.
Bottom line: If they don't need the cap space then buying him out is a foolish idea.
James Tanner: No
They should not. The Hurricanes should be able to make a trade and take less back than they normally would if the other team takes on the Semin contract.
If that can't happen, keep him.
I am sure they'd rather spend the money elsewhere, but if they are re-signing Staal and are not rebuilding and cannot trade him (to say the Leafs) then just keep him because they aren't spending to the cap anyways, and Semin is far better than generally acknowledged.
Adam French: No
I think you give him another chance. A few seasons ago he was having a hell of a year helping Staal get back to a PPG for the first time in years with his own 44 points in 44 games. He's practically worthless at the moment and can always be bought out next season if he's a monumental failure again. That would likely signal the end of his NHL career, or of his NHL career making decent money. Even the season before wasn't disastrous. He still finished fourth on the Canes in points and second in goals with 44p and 22g in 65 games. It's not worth buying him out this year.
Recent posts
Should the Bruins trade Milan Lucic?
Should the Penguins trade Brandon Sutter?
Should the Rangers trade Rick Nash?
Which goaltender should the Senators trade?
Did Mike Babcock make the right decision?
Who should win the Norris?
Who should win the Calder?
Who should win the Jack Adams?
Join the Discussion:
»