Matt Karash: The Alexander Semin blog

Plagiarizing notwalc instead of writing your own blog. Shame on you.

More of this.

Plagiarizing notwalc instead of writing your own blog. Shame on you.
- feelingkettle

Recognizing a good idea when presented with one is a skill set in and of itself. Trying Semin at the point on the power play is an experiment I would like to see tried as well. It certainly couldn't be much worse than what we witnessed on the power play last year.

I feel like it is reasonable to expect more from Semin. I felt like the first line, though doing great, still had a bit more to give. Let's not forget all the posts Semin hit, though. I think that accounted, at least in part, for his lower goal total.

Recognizing a good idea when presented with one is a skill set in and of itself. Trying Semin at the point on the power play is an experiment I would like to see tried as well. It certainly couldn't be much worse than what we witnessed on the power play last year.
- Barbecued Hockey

It was a joke. The original blog had the entire blog posted again when it came to the poster's quote instead of what should have gone there. He fixed it, obviously.

Great blog Matt. Your analysis of Semin is spot on. Non Canes fans will continue to disagree and hate. As for next season, it's all but written in stone that the canes top line will be T-S-S to start the season. The optimist in me says that they will continue to play well (we are seeing Staal play his best hockey in his career because for the first time in his career he's playing with a legitimate top line player in Semin). Semin could play on any top line in the NHL. His linemates over the years were all good (Stillman, Whitney, Cole, Williams, etc) but not legitimate top line (star) players on other teams. That being said, I think that will continue to build great chemistry, and with Tlusty's progressing development, I think the sky's the limit in terms of what we can see from them.

The realist in me thinks that there will definitely be more dry spots in production over the course of 82 games. Injuries aside, if that combo is healthy for the full season I still think there production may plateau a bit. Maybe they will be cursed with the Sophomore slump?? This is because as with most really productive players or lines, teams adjust to what they have seen over a year, from what they watch in films, from learning particular player tendencies, etc. Look at Skinner as an example, he blew the doors off in his rookie season (when many said he wouldn't even make the team). He created space with his skating ability and scoring opportunities with his speed. He definitely had a sophomore slump, and the rest of the league knew how to play against him. Not saying that this lines needs to 'recreate the wheel' in order to be successful, just saying that I think there will be times when they will struggle a bit.

Depends on which version of Semin shows up this year. He has some level of inconsistent play over his career. He did play well last year and it would be great for the 'Canes if the motivated Semin shows up for work this season.
A concern is that he's now got a nice 5 year deal in his back pocket and if that will take away from his motivation to perform at the highest level he's capable of. At 29, you can hope that he's now more mature and he can deliver a solid effort. I think being on Staal's line will help as Eric will certainly be prodding him on.
good luck.

It was a joke. The original blog had the entire blog posted again when it came to the poster's quote instead of what should have gone there. He fixed it, obviously.
- feelingkettle

Sorry about that. In my original attempt to write this blog on the fly (most I write the night before), the HB blog SW started bogging down. I submitted it before I was finished to make sure I did not lose the whole thing, and when I went back to finish it via editing it, I made a horrible mess. It's fixed now, so only a handful of people had to suffer through the confusion.

And as far as stealing other people's quotes to create a blog, it's August. There just isn't a lot of material.

Sorry about that. In my original attempt to write this blog on the fly (most I write the night before), the HB blog SW started bogging down. I submitted it before I was finished to make sure I did not lose the whole thing, and when I went back to finish it via editing it, I made a horrible mess. It's fixed now, so only a handful of people had to suffer through the confusion.

And as far as stealing other people's quotes to create a blog, it's August. There just isn't a lot of material.
- CarolinaMatt63

It's ok, it was funny. I won't tell anyone it happened.

Anecdotally, I seem to remember Semin hitting a comical amount of posts in the first half of last season. Doesn't take much to throw season totals out of whack a bit in a 48 game season. I think expecting more goals next year is pretty reasonable.

I'd also expect a phone call from Jackie Chiles in the morning.

I feel like it is reasonable to expect more from Semin. I felt like the first line, though doing great, still had a bit more to give. Let's not forget all the posts Semin hit, though. I think that accounted, at least in part, for his lower goal total.
- HatTrickCane

I agree with this, and can add one more thing Matt sorta alluded to... because the season started with a different/ less effective 1st line combo, starting with the STS line should yield some pretty awesome stats IMO!
Semin surprised me with his passing accumen, and even more with his defensive prowess! He's the COMPLETE player!
The changes to our defense also could increase the number of offensive chances, so all and all, the future looks quite bright to me!
Good blog, Matt!!!!

I'd also expect a phone call from Jackie Chiles in the morning.
- notwalnc

Darn. Hoped you wouldn't notice. I feel reasonably safe knowing that the cost for the first hour of your legal advice will be more than you get from my Canes blogging revenue.

Semin has always been amazing...when he competes. He hopefully will be consistent in his effort as he showed last season he is capable of.

He still has a ways to go to get rid of his image as a guy who will disappear for stretches.

Let's see how he does this year, but I hope he does and we can see just how good he can be.

Anecdotally, I seem to remember Semin hitting a comical amount of posts in the first half of last season. Doesn't take much to throw season totals out of whack a bit in a 48 game season. I think expecting more goals next year is pretty reasonable.

I'd also expect a phone call from Jackie Chiles in the morning.
- notwalnc

I remember watching Owen Nolan hitting 9 goal posts and scoring zero goals lol. He was a big guy with a wicked shot like Semin in many ways.

I watched him in 3 games.

First game 5 posts, next game 3 and next game 1.

SJ fans I talked to said he hit a lot of goal posts and should have scored lots more than he did. he was always dangerous but not the greatest stats.

This post just brought back that memory.

Semin hit a ridiculous number of posts. As a Caps fan (who now lives in Raleigh), I've ALWAYS been frustrated by the Semin haters. Even some of our own fans started blaming him for all of our problems. The guy ALWAYS played hard, even when he slumped. That year we lost to Montreal in the first round, Semin took way too much blame. Even though he didn't score a goal that series, he had the most shots, and Halak just stood on his head EVERY night. Just bad luck for Semin.

The only consolation in having Semin leave the Caps was having him sign in my new home town. I'm thrilled to have Semin locked up long term here in Raleigh. I may have to actually buy a jersey now

If I remember correctly, Semin was used for a stretch on the point for the PP last season. One game in particular, he had the puck knocked off of his stick, and it created a breakaway the other way. Acknowledging context, the Canes were down by at least a goal, and there was only about a minute left, so the Canes had to be risky. The point is, whether on the point, or on the half wall, Semin is VERY dangerous on the PP, however, he is also risky. He uses a long stick, and keeps the puck out away from his body, so a well timed stick smack can cause an instant breakaway chance, and it's happened about twice every season to Semin on the PP. Small price to pay for a point per game guy, but something to consider when you're talking about putting him on the point.

Also, Semin has ALWAYS been a fantastic playmaker. The problem in Washington was that he didn't see the puck enough, because like Staal in Carolina, the Caps seldom gave him skilled line mates on a regular basis.

My prediction: 32 goals (10pp), 48 assists, 80 points, team leader in +/-.

Welcome Humanist... hope you enjoy the Raleigh area as much as most of us do!
Make sure you partake of the TAILGATING (if you haven't already). We have a ball every game... good food, friends, and grog!!! (rain or shine)

Welcome Humanist... hope you enjoy the Raleigh area as much as most of us do!
Make sure you partake of the TAILGATING (if you haven't already). We have a ball every game... good food, friends, and grog!!! (rain or shine)
- randycane

Thanks Randy! I've actually lived here three years now, and I had a 12 game package for two season before having a baby last year and needing to spend money on other things (as well as protesting the lockout by dropping my ticket plan). I hope to go to a few games this season, especially the Caps games (which I don't often miss). I enjoy the tailgating aspect, and I actually helped out with Special Hockey in the area, especially the sled hockey program, so I've skated on the PNC ice a few times already.

People blasted the Canes. They blasted Semin.