Idk i just don't think he is worth that much. His two big seasons were along Ovi when he was absolutely torching the league.. This year I think he was motivated with free agency looming.

I know they did it to prevent free agency from happening. I just find these recent signings to be absurd with the cap dropping. Getz at 8+ seems crazy too.
- Mahewman

The fact that he has shown chemistry on the top line definitely helped push JR to get something done. Do I agree with the yearly salary? No, but it's not my call. As for the free agency motivation, maybe, but for the previous two years he was signed to one year deals in DC and his numbers were down. Definitely an enigmatic past, though not quite Klima-esque.

I'd pay Krejci the extra million probably not Horton
- Mahewman

Ha! Fair enough

On a serious note though, can one of you guys let Skinner know that fantasy playoffs are starting soon and i would love for him to turn it on?

Thanks

On a serious note though, can one of you guys let Skinner know that fantasy playoffs are starting soon and i would love for him to turn it on?

Thanks
- Mahewman

We are facing Winnipeg twice this week. I don't think any cane fan would be upset by him turning it back up a notch

I appreciate the sensible and thought out reply, sincerely. Like I said before, it's only been 30 games and I am not blind to that fact. Truth be told, he has looked very consistent over that timeframe and has been establishing a very solid rapport with E. Staal, which is a huge part of this extension. He has been solid at both ends of the rink and has been making things happen offensively with regularity. The biggest knock I have on him so far is that at times he tries to do too much himself and gets caught trying to be cute. It's a risk but sometimes you have to lay it all out there. JR saw enough to warrant this contract in his mind, so it's done and we'll see how it plays out.
- I_Am_Jebus

I think Rutherford is solid, so I would generally trust his decision making. Another thing relative to a dropoff in his production in DC - the Caps, while still winning, were a mess during Boudreau's last full season and then last year with Hunter coming in. The players didn't appear to know what system they were playing and you saw a great dropoff in production from everyone (including Ovechkin, Backstrom, Green and Semin). I would wish better things for Semin if he weren't in the same division as the Caps.

We are facing Winnipeg twice this week. I don't think any cane fan would be upset by him turning it back up a notch
- T_Cane0

Big week for you guys

It's not that bad a deal... Gaborik on $7.something and that seemed to be a legit deal... Semin is probably putting up better numbers and getting paid a little less. I say, it's an OK deal.

We are facing Winnipeg twice this week. I don't think any cane fan would be upset by him turning it back up a notch
- T_Cane0

All I ask is no 3 point games

I think Rutherford is solid, so I would generally trust his decision making. Another thing relative to a dropoff in his production in DC - the Caps, while still winning, were a mess during Boudreau's last full season and then last year with Hunter coming in. The players didn't appear to know what system they were playing and you saw a great dropoff in production from everyone (including Ovechkin, Backstrom, Green and Semin). I would wish better things for Semin if he weren't in the same division as the Caps.
- MadCap2008

I definitely have faith in JR. People have been clamoring for years for him to find a legit winger for Staal, and Semin has been working very well in that capacity so far.

Likewise, I would say that I would like to see the Caps right the ship if not for the whole same division issue

I'd pay Krejci the extra million probably not Horton
- Mahewman

Horton still coasting all over the ice in Boston? How's he been this season? Full of potential yet he's always been extremely inconsistent each and every season.

Horton still coasting all over the ice in Boston? How's he been this season? Full of potential yet he's always been extremely inconsistent each and every season.
- BallardHitsHard22

He has moments of brilliance when he has time with the puck but coasting is the perfect description.

interesting little schtick in the boston write up.

outside of tyler bozak, leaf shooters are 0 for 17 in the shootout this season?

looks like the goaltending can take the heat all day for the shootout, but it doesn't really mean crap unless they let bozak shoot 3 times.

interesting little schtick in the boston write up.

outside of tyler bozak, leaf shooters are 0 for 17 in the shootout this season?

looks like the goaltending can take the heat all day for the shootout, but it doesn't really mean crap unless they let bozak shoot 3 times.
- joel878

Kind of surprising they wouldn't use Kessel in the shootout there. Let him try to get some vengeance.

Thought the lockout was because the owners couldn't afford these idiot contracts ...

So semin was the problem in Washington? Seems to me he might not have been the issue at all lot of poop talk from former teammates down there at the bottom while Carolina is rising from a big push from semin

I wanted the Wings to sign Semin last summer to play with Datsyuk but no way Holland would have given him more than Datsyuk or Zetterberg on a long term deal like that. Wings have their own salary structure and that contract wouldn't fit into it.

Paying players 7 million a year is costly. Not having elite talent is even more costly.

People pay them the extra million a year, because if they walk, it's very likely they aren't getting replaced.

Last year, it was Suter, Parise, and Semin. 3 players that went to 2 teams, leaving all the other teams with cap room overpaying guys and hoping for the best on marginal players.

His old teammates who, coincidentally, have shown without a f***ing DOUBT this season that he was not the problem in Washington.

Washington is a joke, and the guys in that locker room trying to deflect attention from their miserable effort this year should not be taken seriously when spouting off in the media.

Semin has been an elite talent whenever he's been given the chance to succeed, I'd be frustrated too playing second fiddle to that one-trick pony Ovechkin.

You want to blame someone for this contract? Don't blame Rutherford, blame the GMs in Anaheim and Minnesota for setting this retarded precedent.

This is going to continue regardless of how many lockouts occur, the best players are going to get paid, simple as that. As a pens fan, you may wanna start worrying about 2014-15 right now.

Bottom line is that market value right now dictates this price for Semin, who is an elite level player, regardless of what the haters say.
- TommyDeVito

Again comparing him to getz and perry to try to make a point. The point is that he isnt comparable to them lol. I think you missed it. Also he was a FA. Last year. Got 7 only from carolina. Hes russian so he for sure took the most money. So has his mind blowing 8 goals and the smoke bombs he has ready to help him dissappear in the playoffs again make him worth more so far this season? DISCOUNT LOL not even close. Car were the highest bidders like 8 months ago and still are. Sad, I love Jstaal and dont wanna see him stuck in that garbage with an anchor like semin holding them down for 7mil. I guess skinner gets 8 and we call it a discount
Im sure skinner wont be thinking about money watching Semin make 7 mil to loaf all playoffs if theyre lucky enough to make it this year.

Also no not worried at all about whatever year your talking about. Players take actual discounts to play in pitts and they dont pay snipers with 8 goals 7 mil a year for 5 years when theyre bidding against nobody else lol. So no, not really worried at all Maybe if pitts cant pay everyone in a year or two, carolina can pay them twice what theyre worth. Will be nice for pitts and ottawa if carolina sabotage their team for a few years either way

I wanted the Canes to resign him but I was hoping it could come a little cheaper than that. He has been good for the team and if his level of play maintains it will be a good signing.

Again comparing him to getz and perry to try to make a point. The point is that he isnt comparable to them lol. I think you missed it. Also he was a FA. Last year. Got 7 only from carolina. Hes russian so he for sure took the most money. So has his mind blowing 8 goals and the smoke bombs he has ready to help him dissappear in the playoffs again make him worth more so far this season? DISCOUNT LOL not even close. Car were the highest bidders like 8 months ago and still are. Sad, I love Jstaal and dont wanna see him stuck in that garbage with an anchor like semin holding them down for 7mil. I guess skinner gets 8 and we call it a discount
Im sure skinner wont be thinking about money watching Semin make 7 mil to loaf all playoffs if theyre lucky enough to make it this year.

Also no not worried at all about whatever year your talking about. Players take actual discounts to play in pitts and they dont pay snipers with 8 goals 7 mil a year for 5 years when theyre bidding against nobody else lol. So no, not really worried at all Maybe if pitts cant pay everyone in a year or two, carolina can pay them twice what theyre worth. Will be nice for pitts and ottawa if carolina sabotage their team for a few years either way
- StabMastaArson

Generally, the Pengins commenters on the Canes board are knowledgable and respectful. You sir are neither. Go troll somewhere else.

Oh cmon...that's absolutely horrible. Did you watch that year or just Google it? That run was built around 30 minutes of Niedermayer, 30 minutes of Pronger and Giguere playing at an elite level.
- CarolinaMatt63

Yep Prongs and Neids were possibly the best faceoff men in those playoffs. Their work on wing was admirable also but all that doesnt compare to how they cycled the offensive zone like lance armstrong on roids. Oh wait that all wasnt prongs and neids....

Yep Prongs and Neids were possibly the best faceoff men in those playoffs. Their work on wing was admirable also but all that doesnt compare to how they cycled the offensive zone like lance armstrong on roids. Oh wait that all wasnt prongs and neids....


- StabMastaArson

Not saying that Pronger was the only thing that Anaheim had, but he was the key piece IMO. I can't stand the guy, bu look at his history : goes to Edmonton, Oilers advance to SC Finals. Exits Edmonton, Oilers go in the toilet. Enters Anaheim, Ducks win Cup. Exits Anaheim, haven't heard much from them since (until this season). Enters Philly, Flyers go to Cup finals. Gets hurt in Philly, they flounder since.

8 goals, 22 assists. He's hit the goal post at least 5-6 times as well, if not more.
- BWithering

And that makes him worth half a million less then Stamkos!?!

And that makes him worth half a million less then Stamkos!?!
- Artyukhin76

johnson and conacher will probably make double that on their contract, since they are stars and all

Again comparing him to getz and perry to try to make a point. The point is that he isnt comparable to them lol. I think you missed it. Also he was a FA. Last year. Got 7 only from carolina. Hes russian so he for sure took the most money. So has his mind blowing 8 goals and the smoke bombs he has ready to help him dissappear in the playoffs again make him worth more so far this season? DISCOUNT LOL not even close. Car were the highest bidders like 8 months ago and still are. Sad, I love Jstaal and dont wanna see him stuck in that garbage with an anchor like semin holding them down for 7mil. I guess skinner gets 8 and we call it a discount
Im sure skinner wont be thinking about money watching Semin make 7 mil to loaf all playoffs if theyre lucky enough to make it this year.

Also no not worried at all about whatever year your talking about. Players take actual discounts to play in pitts and they dont pay snipers with 8 goals 7 mil a year for 5 years when theyre bidding against nobody else lol. So no, not really worried at all Maybe if pitts cant pay everyone in a year or two, carolina can pay them twice what theyre worth. Will be nice for pitts and ottawa if carolina sabotage their team for a few years either way
- StabMastaArson

The outsiders are the only ones who insist on calling him a sniper. He is 15th in the league with 23 assists, but I guess that doesn't matter since he's "a sniper with 8 (now 9) goals". Besides, if the team is sabotaged for a few years, we'll be where your beloved Pens were, in the toilet and racking up high draft picks, or had you not stepped up on the bandwagon at that point?