John Toperzer: Alexander Semin is ready but are the Pens willing? The enigmatic winger carries a heavy price tag and plenty of risk

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"I think the issue is with the organization, not necessarily with the coach," Gandler told ESPN in May. "They told us Alex is not going to play short-handed, he's not going to play in the last minute. He's going to get the same ice time as everybody else ... Alex is not ready to be a role player. He wants to be a full-time player. It's important to him."

Alex, you earn those responsiblities, simple as that.

I think it speaks volumes that in a very weak free agent class, one of the most skilled snipers in the league sits unemployed with no real interest to this point.

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- wynne9

John Toperzer: Alexander Semin is ready but are the Pens willing?
The enigmatic winger carries a heavy price tag and plenty of risk
- the-mitch-wilsons

Why does he all the sudden want to play shorthanded? He didn't play shorthanded last year, I can't recall him ever playing shorthanded. Like the guy above said, you earn those responsibilities. Kovalchuk was eager to learn the defensive side of the game to give Lemaire the confidence to play him regularly on the penalty kill. He had to earn that PK time, and so does Semin.

If anything though, this shows that he is willing to play a bigger defensive role, which is a good thing.

"I think the issue is with the organization, not necessarily with the coach," Gandler told ESPN in May. "They told us Alex is not going to play short-handed, he's not going to play in the last minute. He's going to get the same ice time as everybody else ... Alex is not ready to be a role player. He wants to be a full-time player. It's important to him."

Alex, you earn those responsiblities, simple as that.

I think it speaks volumes that in a very weak free agent class, one of the most skilled snipers in the league sits unemployed with no real interest to this point.
- Gunner Staal

He's unemployed because he's a pain in the ass. In no way, shape, or form is he worth 6 million a year or more. No way. I want a scoring wing for Sid as much as the next Penguin fan, but not at Semin's asking price or the headaches he's going to cause.

Semin would fit right in with the softness of the team

Well Semin wanting to be here would be a good thing. I don't think we have the same type of locker room as Washington. i don't think anyone in that line up would stand by while he plays lazy defense. In Washington OV was the leader and he looks disinterested at times and hasn't always been a great 2 way player. He might actually work here. However I don't want him and if they signed him to more than 5 mill for a year I'd be upset. He could pot 40-50 goals playing with these guys. Did he play on Backstrom's wing in Washington? And can he play the point on the PP?

Why does he all the sudden want to play shorthanded? He didn't play shorthanded last year, I can't recall him ever playing shorthanded. Like the guy above said, you earn those responsibilities. Kovalchuk was eager to learn the defensive side of the game to give Lemaire the confidence to play him regularly on the penalty kill. He had to earn that PK time, and so does Semin.

If anything though, this shows that he is willing to play a bigger defensive role, which is a good thing.
- _Zippy_

He didn't play shorthanded last year because he doesn't work hard. His work ethic sucks. So, a team that has a five on four is like playing 5 on 3.5 or worse with Semin out there. Everyone knows his MO.

Semin would fit right in with the softness of the team
- keatondixon

He will fit right in with Bryzgalov as they both choke when it counts.

He didn't play shorthanded last year because he doesn't work hard. His work ethic sucks. So, a team that has a five on four is like playing 5 on 3.5 or worse with Semin out there. Everyone knows his MO.
- Oneonta Penguin

I know that. The one thing you always have to look at is you can change the work ethic but you can't just magically give a player the skill he has.

if the team was to be guaranteed to make NO other moves, and in this hypothetical scenario, semin was the only addition possible, would you guys take a flyer or still pass?

He didn't play shorthanded last year because he doesn't work hard. His work ethic sucks. So, a team that has a five on four is like playing 5 on 3.5 or worse with Semin out there. Everyone knows his MO.
- Oneonta Penguin

Even Jim Rutherford alluded to it with comments a week or so ago.

What harm can come from a 1 year deal. The team has money to spend and top 6 hole to fill. Why not take a stab with Semin, they did with Kovalev.

What harm can come from a 1 year deal. The team has money to spend and top 6 hole to fill. Why not take a stab with Semin, they did with Kovalev.
- Ben37

He doesn't want a one year deal, or else he would've been signed already.

What harm can come from a 1 year deal. The team has money to spend and top 6 hole to fill. Why not take a stab with Semin, they did with Kovalev.
- Ben37

He most certainly would not be as bad as Kovalev, although if they were both the same age, I would take Kovalev 100 times out of 100.

He will fit right in with Bryzgalov as they both choke when it counts.
- _Zippy_

I wish I could get Ilya Kovalchoke's thoughts on this topic...but I don't think anyone can find him after that disappearing act in the Finals.

I wish I could get Ilya Kovalchoke's thoughts on this topic...but I don't think anyone can find him after that disappearing act in the Finals.
- keatondixon

i actually think kovalchuk had a good playoff run all things considered

Semin would fit right in with the softness of the team
- keatondixon

Shouldn't you be waiting in line for NHL 13 to come out?

That is YOUR postseason award isn't it?

I wish I could get Ilya Kovalchoke's thoughts on this topic...but I don't think anyone can find him after that disappearing act in the Finals.
- keatondixon

You said it all. "...in the finals"

I wish I could get Ilya Kovalchoke's thoughts on this topic...but I don't think anyone can find him after that disappearing act in the Finals.
- keatondixon

Bryzgalova.

Have you forgiven the United States for stealing Russia's gold medal in the 1980 Olympics?

[Loud laughter] Why would I still be mad at them? Their team is weak now. The Canadians are our main rivals.



How'd that work out in 2010, d-bag?
I wouldn't want this arrogant quitter on my team. Go to the KHL where you belong and play your "beautiful" hockey, you sissy.

I wish I could get Ilya Kovalchoke's thoughts on this topic...but I don't think anyone can find him after that disappearing act in the Finals.
- keatondixon

He wasn't the only player to disappear in the finals. He sure had a fun time assisting on like three OT goals, all while playing with a herniated disc in his back.

Alex Semin is NOT a one-dimensional player; in fact, he's quietly one of the most talented two-way players in the NHL. Someone is going to get a steal with this guy. He ranked 13th in the NHL in GA20 (goals against per 20 minutes of 5 on 5 play) and 5th in GF20 (same, just goals for). Nobody else has that good a combination.

Semin has his issues, but to call him a one-dimensional player is just patently false and lazy, because the numbers are right there which prove that he's, in fact, a top-notch two-way forward. Again, some team is going to get lucky with this guy.

He wasn't the only player to disappear in the finals. He sure had a fun time assisting on like three OT goals, all while playing with a herniated disc in his back.
- _Zippy_

Don't worry about him. He's clearly still bitter about losing to your Devils in the playoffs. He's still......facing his Demons....YEAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH