Comments on: The Capitals and Alexander Semin Defer Judgment Day http://www.onfrozenblog.com/2009/12/28/the-capitals-and-alexander-semin-defer-judgment-day.html A Haven for the Hockey Malnourished Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:09:36 +0000 hourly 1 By: xke4me http://www.onfrozenblog.com/2009/12/28/the-capitals-and-alexander-semin-defer-judgment-day.html/comment-page-1#comment-16475 xke4me Tue, 29 Dec 2009 15:13:49 +0000 http://onfrozenblog.com/?p=6005#comment-16475 I think it was a smart move. Semin is one of those guys who drive coaches nuts - loads of talent, but you never know what they are going to bring to the ice. I've always suspected that Semin would be happier as a star somewhere else. I think it was a smart move. Semin is one of those guys who drive coaches nuts – loads of talent, but you never know what they are going to bring to the ice. I’ve always suspected that Semin would be happier as a star somewhere else.

]]> By: J.P. http://www.onfrozenblog.com/2009/12/28/the-capitals-and-alexander-semin-defer-judgment-day.html/comment-page-1#comment-16447 J.P. Mon, 28 Dec 2009 15:51:54 +0000 http://onfrozenblog.com/?p=6005#comment-16447 It’s perhaps worth noting that prior to signing this extension, Semin was somewhat untradeable for any fair value due to the uncertainty of next season (i.e. the lure of the KHL, no contract, etc.). Now that he’s locked in to an NHL deal for next year (whatever that does or doesn’t mean), he’s actually more tradeable than he was before. Do I think the Caps signed him to trade him? No, not at all. But he is more attractive to potential suitors today than he was last week. It’s perhaps worth noting that prior to signing this extension, Semin was somewhat untradeable for any fair value due to the uncertainty of next season (i.e. the lure of the KHL, no contract, etc.). Now that he’s locked in to an NHL deal for next year (whatever that does or doesn’t mean), he’s actually more tradeable than he was before.

Do I think the Caps signed him to trade him? No, not at all. But he is more attractive to potential suitors today than he was last week.

]]> By: Jim http://www.onfrozenblog.com/2009/12/28/the-capitals-and-alexander-semin-defer-judgment-day.html/comment-page-1#comment-16445 Jim Mon, 28 Dec 2009 14:46:57 +0000 http://onfrozenblog.com/?p=6005#comment-16445 Big banging defenseman or shutdown defenseman would be much preferred NOW when the Caps' biggest problem all year is not scoring the goals but stopping the other team once the lead is in hand. However, that being said, Semin is one of the best takeaway artists in the league--something no one ever mentions--and he is able to produce a lot of his offense through superior defense (albeit defense for the purpose of offense). His takeaways remind me a lot of his fellow countryman Malkin's takeaways. Lots of neutral ice sticklifting and intercepting. And man he is so skilled on the PP that I can hardly picture the Caps without him standing on the goal line threading passes or scoring off the hard angle. Keep him around for now, and maybe the Caps can have more efforts like the one against NJ? Big banging defenseman or shutdown defenseman would be much preferred NOW when the Caps’ biggest problem all year is not scoring the goals but stopping the other team once the lead is in hand. However, that being said, Semin is one of the best takeaway artists in the league–something no one ever mentions–and he is able to produce a lot of his offense through superior defense (albeit defense for the purpose of offense). His takeaways remind me a lot of his fellow countryman Malkin’s takeaways. Lots of neutral ice sticklifting and intercepting. And man he is so skilled on the PP that I can hardly picture the Caps without him standing on the goal line threading passes or scoring off the hard angle. Keep him around for now, and maybe the Caps can have more efforts like the one against NJ?

]]> By: pucksandbooks http://www.onfrozenblog.com/2009/12/28/the-capitals-and-alexander-semin-defer-judgment-day.html/comment-page-1#comment-16442 pucksandbooks Mon, 28 Dec 2009 14:32:31 +0000 http://onfrozenblog.com/?p=6005#comment-16442 It's not just Varlamov who will require a hefty new deal rather soon, but also Mike Green down the road just a bit. It's with these two deals also in mind that I've arrived at the calculus that keeping Semin appears to be a budget-busting endeavor. But if I had to make a wager, I'd say GMGM holds on to him and makes a run with him the next two postseasons. That also buys his scouts two more drafts, and they've got the MoJo, don't they? (See this year's WJC.) It’s not just Varlamov who will require a hefty new deal rather soon, but also Mike Green down the road just a bit. It’s with these two deals also in mind that I’ve arrived at the calculus that keeping Semin appears to be a budget-busting endeavor. But if I had to make a wager, I’d say GMGM holds on to him and makes a run with him the next two postseasons. That also buys his scouts two more drafts, and they’ve got the MoJo, don’t they? (See this year’s WJC.)

]]> By: Bob F. http://www.onfrozenblog.com/2009/12/28/the-capitals-and-alexander-semin-defer-judgment-day.html/comment-page-1#comment-16440 Bob F. Mon, 28 Dec 2009 14:06:17 +0000 http://onfrozenblog.com/?p=6005#comment-16440 Somewhat along the lines of the previous comment... the question that I have is, how do you replace Semin with equal value *at a lower price*? If you get an elite player in return, he's gonna cost a fortune, too. So do you trade him for picks? (Egad!) In that case, I say let's take the two year run at the Cup and let the chips fall where they may in the summer of 2011. Somewhat along the lines of the previous comment… the question that I have is, how do you replace Semin with equal value *at a lower price*? If you get an elite player in return, he’s gonna cost a fortune, too. So do you trade him for picks? (Egad!) In that case, I say let’s take the two year run at the Cup and let the chips fall where they may in the summer of 2011.

]]> By: Kobe http://www.onfrozenblog.com/2009/12/28/the-capitals-and-alexander-semin-defer-judgment-day.html/comment-page-1#comment-16439 Kobe Mon, 28 Dec 2009 13:57:35 +0000 http://onfrozenblog.com/?p=6005#comment-16439 I doubt the Blues ever make that deal. IF you deal him, I'd lean more towards Calgary and Dion Phaneuf now that they have Bouwmeester. At the same time, I think you offer Semin and Backstrom long-term deals like the ones Chicago recently inked...7-8 years at $5.5M a year. Of course, then you have to sign Alzner and Varly soon as well... I doubt the Blues ever make that deal. IF you deal him, I’d lean more towards Calgary and Dion Phaneuf now that they have Bouwmeester. At the same time, I think you offer Semin and Backstrom long-term deals like the ones Chicago recently inked…7-8 years at $5.5M a year. Of course, then you have to sign Alzner and Varly soon as well…

]]> By: Ken M http://www.onfrozenblog.com/2009/12/28/the-capitals-and-alexander-semin-defer-judgment-day.html/comment-page-1#comment-16438 Ken M Mon, 28 Dec 2009 13:28:50 +0000 http://onfrozenblog.com/?p=6005#comment-16438 While i agree with you, the deal for Johnson would be good, you have to wonder what a former overall number 1 might be calling for when his deal is finished...Johnson is a big boy, but it still neglects the need for a big banging physical defenseman. While i agree with you, the deal for Johnson would be good, you have to wonder what a former overall number 1 might be calling for when his deal is finished…Johnson is a big boy, but it still neglects the need for a big banging physical defenseman.

]]> By: MikeR http://www.onfrozenblog.com/2009/12/28/the-capitals-and-alexander-semin-defer-judgment-day.html/comment-page-1#comment-16437 MikeR Mon, 28 Dec 2009 13:20:18 +0000 http://onfrozenblog.com/?p=6005#comment-16437 Erik Johnson would be a great addition to the Caps. He was the first overall draft pick in 2006, the same year the Caps drafted Nick Backstrom with the fourth overall pick. Erik Johnson would be a great addition to the Caps. He was the first overall draft pick in 2006, the same year the Caps drafted Nick Backstrom with the fourth overall pick.

]]> By: Grunthos http://www.onfrozenblog.com/2009/12/28/the-capitals-and-alexander-semin-defer-judgment-day.html/comment-page-1#comment-16436 Grunthos Mon, 28 Dec 2009 12:59:32 +0000 http://onfrozenblog.com/?p=6005#comment-16436 Good writeup. I'd move him, myself, but then I have never been his biggest fan. Which is not to suggest he's anything less than a top-notch scoring winger; I just think there has got to be a more efficient roster configuration available through trade than the one we have right now. Good writeup. I’d move him, myself, but then I have never been his biggest fan. Which is not to suggest he’s anything less than a top-notch scoring winger; I just think there has got to be a more efficient roster configuration available through trade than the one we have right now.

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