The Case for Semin
Posted 10:10 AM ET | Comments 15
Eklund has been heralding a possible move of Alexander Semin the last few days with the Detroit Red Wings being one of the top contenders. A few thoughts…
Semin hasn’t been in his top form since 2009-2010 where he posted 28 goals and 26 assists. He’s been decent enough this season, with 5 and 5. I haven’t been paying too close attention to the Capitals but obviously, they have been expecting more from him. I don’t know if he’s unhappy in Washington or if he’s dealing with some nagging injury, but either way, the Caps seem to want to move some potentially dead weight and free up a LOT of cap space doing it.
The first thing I think of is the Caps will want a decent, scoring forward in return to replace the Top Six winger, but who could/would the Wings part with? I’ve grown to like just about all the current Detroit roster (which is why I could never be a GM) but the two names I can think of are Jiri Hudler and Valtteri Filppula. Now I highly doubt that Filppula would be moved since he’s got the hot hand in Detroit right now, and he’s carved himself a niche. Hudler would be a better choice. He’s in the exact same situation right now, coming off a very poor season last year, and he’s just not producing as much as he should (although the improved effort has been there this season). Hudler’s in a contract year and Ken Holland is going to have to decide to keep him or let him go anyway. Another possibility is Patrick Eaves, who is currently out 2 months with a broken jaw, and has only been replaced by the unproven Fabian Brunnstrom. I also have had a particular dislike of Jonathan Ericsson lately, but the Caps don’t need defensemen, and Detroit does.
The other problem is his salary. I doubt very much that Semin would garner his current salary of $6.7 million in Detroit, which would put him equal with Pavel Datsyuk, but above both Nicklas Lidstrom and Henrik Zetterberg. If he were, moving Hudler would open up the cap space this season, and also probably send Brunnstrom down to Grand Rapids for good (unless he were moved too, to sweeten the deal. Hell, let ‘em have Mike Commodore too!).
The drawback to that is, what if Semin ends up being a lemon in Detroit too? We end up trading a least one forward who’s not scoring for a more expensive forward who’s not scoring. And if he didn’t score in Washington, and didn’t score in Detroit, it might be tough to unload him come the trade deadline. He may only be traded for a few second- or third-liners and draft considerations.
Do the Wings even need him at all? They’re near the top of the standings on a six-game win streak. The best benefit that Semin could bring is to further increase the depth of Detroit’s forwards, and also give Datsyuk someone to talk to. Personally, I agree that the Wings should invest in another top six forward, but I don’t think it should be Semin.
The floor is now open. What say you?
Semin hasn’t been in his top form since 2009-2010 where he posted 28 goals and 26 assists. He’s been decent enough this season, with 5 and 5. I haven’t been paying too close attention to the Capitals but obviously, they have been expecting more from him. I don’t know if he’s unhappy in Washington or if he’s dealing with some nagging injury, but either way, the Caps seem to want to move some potentially dead weight and free up a LOT of cap space doing it.
The first thing I think of is the Caps will want a decent, scoring forward in return to replace the Top Six winger, but who could/would the Wings part with? I’ve grown to like just about all the current Detroit roster (which is why I could never be a GM) but the two names I can think of are Jiri Hudler and Valtteri Filppula. Now I highly doubt that Filppula would be moved since he’s got the hot hand in Detroit right now, and he’s carved himself a niche. Hudler would be a better choice. He’s in the exact same situation right now, coming off a very poor season last year, and he’s just not producing as much as he should (although the improved effort has been there this season). Hudler’s in a contract year and Ken Holland is going to have to decide to keep him or let him go anyway. Another possibility is Patrick Eaves, who is currently out 2 months with a broken jaw, and has only been replaced by the unproven Fabian Brunnstrom. I also have had a particular dislike of Jonathan Ericsson lately, but the Caps don’t need defensemen, and Detroit does.
The other problem is his salary. I doubt very much that Semin would garner his current salary of $6.7 million in Detroit, which would put him equal with Pavel Datsyuk, but above both Nicklas Lidstrom and Henrik Zetterberg. If he were, moving Hudler would open up the cap space this season, and also probably send Brunnstrom down to Grand Rapids for good (unless he were moved too, to sweeten the deal. Hell, let ‘em have Mike Commodore too!).
The drawback to that is, what if Semin ends up being a lemon in Detroit too? We end up trading a least one forward who’s not scoring for a more expensive forward who’s not scoring. And if he didn’t score in Washington, and didn’t score in Detroit, it might be tough to unload him come the trade deadline. He may only be traded for a few second- or third-liners and draft considerations.
Do the Wings even need him at all? They’re near the top of the standings on a six-game win streak. The best benefit that Semin could bring is to further increase the depth of Detroit’s forwards, and also give Datsyuk someone to talk to. Personally, I agree that the Wings should invest in another top six forward, but I don’t think it should be Semin.
The floor is now open. What say you?
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08 At Long last...A Win!
09 Now, It's A Series!
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13 The Mountain Was Just Too High
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why mess with it now
Of the proven first-line commodities that are underperforming this year, give me Ryan (24 and signed to a very affordable contract through 2015) or Parise (probably not quite Semin's equal offensively, but is better defensively and would probably be cheaper to re-sign) before Semin.
I dont see many moves I would be comfortable with. The few players that detroit could shed off the roster wouldnt bring in much to improve unless we start throwing away prospects...and just when we have a few too be super excited about in the next 1-2 years....
The tough spot Detroit is in, from my perspective, is that RIGHT NOW they could really use another top-three forward, but the long-term need (next year and beyond) is defenders. There are some promising forward prospects (Nyquist, Pulkkinen, Tatar), but not much in the way of good young defenders even close to ready to make the jump.
Semin is overpaid, no way no how he winds up a wing this year, period. Bad work ethic, bad teamate, in short everything the wings hate. He doesnt fit our model. That said, we need a winger who can shoot, if we can get Bobby Ryan we win the cup. Problem is, what to give back, you know the ducks are getting some good offers.
Sven, I have read 3 or 4 places Brendan Smith is part of the offer for Bobby Ryan, he fits the Ducks mold, nasty streaked d-man alla neidermeier or Pronger, with offensive skills. I agree though, if Stuart leaves, and/or Lidstrom starts showing his age smith has to be ready to be a top 4, so we have to keep him.
Brendan Smith showed pretty well in his recent call-up and could quite possibly be ready next season to make the Wings. And his chances would be even better if Brad Stuart leaves for free agency. Stuart is rumored as wanting to go back to the west coast where is wife and kids are.
Yave, smith is not "nasty-streaked." He had a one-time incident in preseason. I doubt the Wings would part with him anyway. They've put too much faith and work in him already just to send him away. I agree that Bobby Ryan would be a better fit than Semin, but Detroit will certainly be outbid by the some of the other more depserate clubs.
electric,Actually in 77 games over the last two years at Grand rapids, basicly a whole season he has exactly 150 penalty minutes. A hard accurate shot, willing to play physical, he reminds me for all the world of Reed Larson. I hope they do not deal him, hope we find another way to get a winger who is a sharpshooter. Looking forward to watching smith for years to come
Didn't know about his AHL career, Yave. Just seen him this season in NHL action, and he seemed to keep his head about him pretty well. I do look forward to seeing him play, so I hope they keep him.
Now that I think about it, I think the better choice would be to pick up Zach Parise from the Devils. A cross-conference trade would be a little easier to swallow for each GM.
if you want parise or ryan, you have to be willingly to give up alot for them, and i dont really see that many assetsbthe wings are willing to move, umless its about all their top prospects.
Parise's a UFA after this season. They could spend the rest of the year wooing him and sign him on July 1.