HockeyBuzz Hotstove: Hotstove: Should The Hurricanes Use A Buyout On Alex Semin?

HockeyBuzz Hotstove: Hotstove: Should The Hurricanes Use A Buyout On Alex Semin?
- ToddCordellVAN

Force him to retire, so he can go play in the KHL.
Let him know he might not dress at all next season........

From a Canes standpoint, I mostly agree.

Key points:

--(As everyone said) Canes are not a cap team. Cap savings are completely irrelevant.

--Decision then becomes would you rather start 2015-16 with Alexander Semin or would you rather have $2.3M to replace him. It makes much more sense to roll the dice that Semin can rebound at which point even the mediocre version of him is better than what you can buy on the open market for $2.3M.

--Depending on return of players, I could see Canes eating contract to unload him, but at max 50% it starts to make less sense for similar reasons to buy out.

--(Not mentioned here) I would not be shocked to see Francis pay something to get out from under this contract, but I would be shocked if it is the #5 pick as rumored. In this draft, that is just too much.

Granted, RF has been non-committal in discussing Semin's future with the team, but a buyout is the least likely route I see happening. Unless a sub-7% shooting percentage is his new ceiling, and assuming his wrist injury is healed, he'll rebound. As Matt pointed out, the money that would be freed up to sign a replacement won't be sufficient, and it will keep him on the books for 3 more years, albeit not at his full salary.

A retained salary trade could happen, though I don't see RF willing to hold on to half of the salary. Yes, a team would be taking a chance on Semin, but if given the choice of paying Semin $3.5 million to play somewhere else or hoping (at least this season) that Semin can return to the 20 goal, 40 point range, I think the latter is more desirable. No, that performance is nowhere near worth $7 million, but if Semin is healthy and reasonably motivated, his skill set is valuable to the team. Again, not $7 million valuable, but unless a proposed trade can help offset that potential, stay the course.

As far as moving the #5, not a chance. I could see a pick swap, but RF isn't going to move down more than a few spots, which leaves the Devils, Flyers and Blue Jackets as viable options. I don't really see any of those teams making a pitch for Semin's services, and I (Mr. Armchair GM) would rather hang onto #5.

Yes you should buy him out. You have to pay $2.3 million per year for seven years instead of $7 million for seven years.
So that frees up $4.7 million this year and two years thereafter.
The Canes could get a pretty good free agent for $4.7 million.
And the Canes need to start winning this coming years instead of three years from now.

Alex is not playing well, but I don't think an injury is his excuse. He is not
focused on the game. He constantly hesitates. He doesn't seem to skate.
This is not a player you want on the team so you buy him out. Trading him might work
but even if the Canes eat half his salary, I am not sure you will find a team willing to pay $3.5 million a year for three years on the hopes he shows improvement. So I expect a buyout.

As a last resort, i'd trade Semin for a reasonable return! Never would i consider paying him to leave...that seems like a dumb waste of a "still" very talented resource! We've all seen the skill he has, and if NONE of the coaches can find a way to get that back... then we need a NEW coach!
A bad Semin is better than many...!

Force him to retire, so he can go play in the KHL.
Let him know he might not dress at all next season........
- Ur Not Me

he can catch a ride back to russia on this boat:

Deal Semin to the Kings for Mike Richards, plus prospects. The two players have comparable cap hits over time if they need to get bought out, but it would provide the Kings with much better flexibility, which the Canes don't need since they aren't up against the cap.

Deal Semin to the Kings for Mike Richards, plus prospects. The two players have comparable cap hits over time if they need to get bought out, but it would provide the Kings with much better flexibility, which the Canes don't need since they aren't up against the cap.
- Troy_Ice

It would give the 'Canes more centering depth and LA a player who could produce (if played on a line with Gaborik or Carter.) Although most people see Richards as being useless because he doesn't score as often as he used to, but he wins faceoffs.