Comments on: Alex Semin: Bettman Has Never Been to Siberia!

By: 28ISGREAT

28ISGREAT — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 16:01:43 +0000

@Ga – you’re right, I sweat, get out of breath and get injured sitting on my sofa every night too….

By: barb

barb — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 13:06:12 +0000

bruce has made no secret of the fact that he dislikes semin.

boudreau is starting to come across as one of those powerless guys who needs someone to kick around in order to feel he’s more powerful than he really is. and his favorite thing to kick is semin.

wouldn’t it be great to see what a coach who can appreciate skill players would do with the capitals, instead being stuck with of a guy who only likes former hershey bears and third/fourth line grinders who have to work until they bleed to be merely mediocre?

By: deann

deann — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 04:10:42 +0000

Ga, then what is Ovechkin doing on the first line? He’s every bit as guilty of lazy play, standing around on the ice, turning the puck over, whiffing on passes. Based on Semin’s production this year in comparison, Ovechkin should be demoted.

By: Ga

Ga — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 03:01:04 +0000

Semin is on the 2nd line because he is lazy, stands around on the ice, turns the puck over, and commits dumb penalties regularly!!! He needs to show he deserves to be on the first line by working hard like his team mates 25, 22, 21, 90, 26 do! That’s why they rotate through the first line, and I think Coach B is doing the right thing.

By: Lee

Lee — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 23:25:04 +0000

@28ISGREAT: I wholeheartedly agree. I often find myself wondering why Semin is playing on the second line regularly in the first place. Other teams in the NHL would kill to have someone that skilled on their top line, I would imagine. While I have a ton of respect for Chimera and Knuble, they do not (at least this season) seem to be able to find the chemistry with Ovechkin and Backstrom that the Caps need for significant offensive force (though those two stars are hardly blameless in their own right). And how can Semin be expected to flourish with no real experienced line-mates, especially when they change night-to-night? In due time, I have every confidence that Johansson and/or Perrault will eventually be able to settle in and fill the long-awaited role of “strong, consistent second-line center.” Until then, however, what’s the harm in putting Semin with his Russian and Swedish friends? Worst case scenario: no goals, lines are switched back after a few games. Best case: Ovechtrick?? Semintrick? I for one, am all for it.

By: 28ISGREAT

28ISGREAT — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 21:52:36 +0000

@deann: I think the answer to your question has to be a fairly emphatic “No – he’s not being used effectively.” If the “go-to” line when we’re down late in the 3rd is 8-19-28, then it seems to me that should be the default 1st line through at least half the game – and certainly if we want to strike first in the 1st period.

I’m not saying that should be set in stone – clearly lines should be changed on nights things just aren’t “clicking.” But, it’s this Semin fan’s opinion that you’re not maximizing 28′s talent by consistently playing him on the 2nd line with rookies like Perrault or Johanson. Let the stars have their “chemistry” and use the other 3 lines to put together a combination of offense, hits, and generally wearing down the other side.

I’ve noticed – for example – that the player’s that generally are able to anticipate and receive a world class assist/pass from 28 tend to be either Green on the PP, or Backstrom or Ovechkin on any given offensive zone push. The other players – while skilled no doubt in their own right – just don’t seem to have the same consistent ability to play up to Semin’s ability.

My simply point being, early this season it seemed more often than not to be the case where Semin was making Perrault or Johanson look good with an amazing assist, then vice versa. And that’s not necessarily the best way to use a scorer like Semin.

And isn’t it telling BB didnt start using Semin in the PK unit until after McPhee said something post Worlds last year? If you’re being objective – its kind of ridiculous the coach couldnt figure that out over 5+ seasons on his own.

By: deann

deann — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 16:33:59 +0000

@lulu: I’ve often wondered if Semin’s issues are related to coaching. Is he really the selfish, lazy player he’s made out to be or is the coaching staff hampering his world-class skills? From the comments other players have made, it certainly appears that there are many that aren’t happy with the constant line changes. I can’t help but wonder if Semin would flourish under another coach. Clearly, he can be very undisciplined but is he being used effectively?

By: deann

deann — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 16:28:41 +0000

His interviews are always intriguing. I can’t help but like the guy.

By: lulu

lulu — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 16:01:06 +0000

“The coach chooses the tactics….” Buried in the avalanche of newws about Semin’s contract extension was the nugget from his agent that he “would score more goals if he played constantly with Backstrom…”
I think it’s clear he’s unhappy (rightly) with the ongoing and unpredictable line changes and the long absence of a strong 2C.

He’s a terrific talent but needs much more support than he’s getting.

By: Nicci

Nicci — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 14:21:35 +0000

Thanks for the interview! Very much appreciated.