Crazy to say, but the way this offseason has gone, signing Semin to a 1/2 year deal is ABSOLUTELY the RIGHT move for Carolina to do at this stage.
The Canes are clearly not at the point where they can win bidding wars for the more "desirable" free agents. They can't get top talent yet to waive NTC to go there (see Nash) and after paying up a big price for J. Staal, probably aren't itching to deal a bunch more blue chippers for a top 6 forward.
Semin, on the other hand, might actually be a perfect match. This is the kind of guy/project the Canes used to make a living on (Gary Roberts, Ray Sheppard, Ray Whitney, Corey Stillman). The players that the rest of the NHL deemed unworthy. You put him on a line with the two big Staal boys and just let him make plays. Or you stick him next to Ruutu and let TR bang the bodies while Semin snipes.
The Hurricanes have the right on ice situation and right financial situation. Plus, they give Semin the chance to shove it right back in the Caps faces several times a year.
Before the rest of the NHL wakes up, JR should get this thing done. Even overpay slightly just to lock it up. 1 year at a hair over 7 or 2 years at 12. I'd rather pay more on a one year deal and let him play for a contract.
Once Doan decides, if he decides outside of Pittsburgh, Semin is in Pittsburgh next season. If not, Semin is up for grabs but my bet it's Detroit/NJ leading the race.
Once Doan decides, if he decides outside of Pittsburgh, Semin is in Pittsburgh next season. If not, Semin is up for grabs but my bet it's Detroit/NJ leading the race. - _Zippy_
i really dont see the pens as a lock for either doan or semin unfortunately. although with contracts given out they might be better off
Location: Threw one in front blocked the, NJ Joined: 01.26.2012
Jul 26 @ 12:28 AM ET
i really dont see the pens as a lock for either doan or semin unfortunately. although with contracts given out they might be better off - stayinthefnnet
There's a reason Semin's holding out.
Not for the hell of it, there's teams that need to reach the floor and you know they've offered him the money.
Either teams are completely dismissing him, he is asking for insane demands, or he has his eyes fixed on one team and one team only.
Realistically, it's the latter. The only team that fits that last bill perfectly is Pittsburgh, however, it's likely Pittsburgh only thinks of him as a fall-back option. If he wanted to be in NJ, he'd be there already. If he wanted to be in Carolina, he'd be there already, same can be said for Detroit.
From what i have read, the rumor is Semin wants 4 or 5 years at 7 million per which if true is the reason he hasn't signed yet since every team only wants to offer 1 or 2 years. With the scumbag he has for an agent i believe that rumor.
If he was willing to sign a short term deal, he would be signed already.
From what i have read, the rumor is Semin wants 4 or 5 years at 7 million per which if true is the reason he hasn't signed yet since every team only wants to offer 1 or 2 years. With the scumbag he has for an agent i believe that rumor.
If he was willing to sign a short term deal, he would be signed already. - dcz28
+1.
The Canes are not going to get Semin to sign for 5.5 per over 2 years.
Wouldn't say everyones sleeping on him, I think people would be foolish to think they Devils aren't working on getting him to NJ. He is friends with Kovalchuk and out of the teams in on him the Devils are the only ones that lost Parise Ponikarovsky and maybe Sykora which means we are now missing out on about 70 goals next year, Semin could fill Zachs spot as far as the goal scoring and then the Devils could trade one or two of their two extra D on one way contracts for another forward, and once thats all done if we have the room we will also re sign Sykora who has been patiently waiting for us to fill our roster to see if we have the room for him alots riding on how much we pay Semin
Location: Wonderful things can happen when you sow seeds of distrust in a garden full of (bum)holes Joined: 07.01.2007
Jul 26 @ 8:37 AM ET
There's a reason Semin's holding out.
Not for the hell of it, there's teams that need to reach the floor and you know they've offered him the money.
Either teams are completely dismissing him, he is asking for insane demands, or he has his eyes fixed on one team and one team only.
Realistically, it's the latter. The only team that fits that last bill perfectly is Pittsburgh, however, it's likely Pittsburgh only thinks of him as a fall-back option. If he wanted to be in NJ, he'd be there already. If he wanted to be in Carolina, he'd be there already, same can be said for Detroit. - _Zippy_
Or he's just giving Phoenix every chance to get their ownership situation straightened out. From all the reports out there, he's vested in the area, and has laid some serious roots there. I get the feeling that he doesn't want to leave there if he can help it at all. If you think about it, he really has no reason to rush. There's no guarantee that the season will even start on time.
Sure there are teams interested in Semin, but I think the conversations with his agent from most of these teams goes like this:
"We would be willing to offer Alexander $__ for __ years. We should know pretty soon IF we can actually make this offer or if we are just talking hypotheticals.
This would mean that there are very few, if any, real "signable today" offers on the table because the priority list for most teams has some combination of Doan, Ryan (and previously Nash) ahead of him and not enough money for more than 1 of them.
The guy already feels slighted and underappreciated. At some point, he does a Jagr and just wants to be done with it, claim some dignity and start figuring out where he is going to live in 4 weeks.
I'm cool with the idea of signing him to 1-2 years at 5-6mil. But 7mil is overboard for a guy who did nothing last season. NJ can have him for that price.
Semin will get paid.
Someone already mentioned it........"Cap Floor".
if you have to spend money may as well get a guy who has the potential to be a sniper.
Matt, I agree with alot of your points, the problem is that those points apply for many other teams too.
if carolina somehow lands him you have to like their playoff chances this year. E-Staal had a down year and Skinner missed some time. They are a 7/8 spot team if they play healthy all season. Maybe even the 3 if Washington slides at all.
Matt I was waiting for you to hit on this. JR I think has to try to sign him. I think a 2 to 3 year contract at 6 to 6.5 would be a good risk to take. It gets the Canes off the floor as far as salary goes and it really makes this team a playoff team.
I really like Bobby Ryan but I'm not willing to give up prospects and draft picks to get him. I personal think Rick Nash is over rated. He is a very good player but is not the super star that I think a lot of people thinks he is.
If you look at Semin, Nash and Ryan's stats they are all very simalier. I just think Semin has more potential than the other 2 so it is worth the risk. I would also but a buzz in a market that needs it right now.
Location: Threw one in front blocked the, NJ Joined: 01.26.2012
Jul 26 @ 11:00 AM ET
I'm cool with the idea of signing him to 1-2 years at 5-6mil. But 7mil is overboard for a guy who did nothing last season. NJ can have him for that price. - T_Cane0
He's likely going to sign for 3 years.
No team is willing to make the 4-5 year commitment and he's not willing to be a short-term guy. Some team is going to offer him 3 years at 6.7 million per, what he made last season, and that's probably going to be his deal.
Location: Threw one in front blocked the, NJ Joined: 01.26.2012
Jul 26 @ 11:01 AM ET
Or he's just giving Phoenix every chance to get their ownership situation straightened out. From all the reports out there, he's vested in the area, and has laid some serious roots there. I get the feeling that he doesn't want to leave there if he can help it at all. If you think about it, he really has no reason to rush. There's no guarantee that the season will even start on time. - buffalofan19
Wrong guy....
I was talking Semin, and you're talking Doan.
No team is willing to make the 4-5 year commitment and he's not willing to be a short-term guy. Some team is going to offer him 3 years at 6.7 million per, what he made last season, and that's probably going to be his deal. - _Zippy_
I don't understand why anyone offers him more than 2 years. The people who are talking about giving him a contract (ie. Rutherford) are reluctant to take the risk on multiple years... 3 years is not very realistic under those circumstances!
I also think he's getting less than 7M. The fact the Caps are less than enthusiastic about resigning him speaks volumes IMO!!
What is NJ's current money (bankcruptcy ?) situation? do they really have and/ or want to spend big money on Semin et al??
No team is willing to make the 4-5 year commitment and he's not willing to be a short-term guy. Some team is going to offer him 3 years at 6.7 million per, what he made last season, and that's probably going to be his deal. - _Zippy_
Just gonna say it.. that would be effing dumb..
He got 54 points last season in 77 games last season
the season before he got 54 points in 65 games..
He has steadily decreased his output each season for the past 2 seasons. He isn't a point per game player. He literally adds nothing to the team aside from offense.. you don't give a guy who gets paid for offense but doesn't produce it 6.7mil.
He has 2 seasons in his career producing what was expected of him... If I were a GM and he asked me 6.7mil for 3 years, I'd have a hard time not laughing in his face...
There is a reason Wash has been putting him on 1 year deals
