Get your jokes out.
Seriously, get them all out.
Alright, now we can move on.
Today it was announced by James Mirtle of the Globe and Mail that Alexander Semin would be placed on waivers by the Montreal Canadiens.
Thus ends (for now) Semin’s tenure with the successful Canadiens team which has an Eastern Conference leading 41 points on the year. The fall of Semin has been swift and unceremonious for the most part. After his 84 point season with the Capitals, Semin has slowly but surely has seen his scoring fall off a cliff. Through fifteen games this season with the Canadiens he only has four points.
I think Adam Gretz of CBS Sports hit the nail on the head this past summer when evaluating what would become of Semin this season.
“It will be the type of season where everybody can claim to be right in their analysis of Semin, and then we will go through the exact same thing next summer when he remains unsigned until the end of July and signs on for another one-year deal.”
Today, advanced stats people are saying he wasn’t given the proper shot because stylistically it didn’t work. While people on the other side are sticking up their noses and saying I told you so.
Once again though they are both right. Semin has a 55% even strength Corsi For on the season. A very, very good mark. While his four points don’t inspire any confidence for others. So what is the solution?
He will need to go to an offensive minded team, that really doesn’t have anything to lose. A few teams that spring to mind:
Dallas Stars
They really don’t need anymore scoring but if they are able to find the old “Sasha” it would be quite a coup. Imagine him on the power play with the likes of Seguin, Spezza and Benn.
Arizona Coyotes
They are currently competing at a pace that isn’t sustainable but if they wanted to make a little noise they could pick up Semin and let him find his game. He may butt heads with head coach Dave Tippett but it should be a risk they are willing to take.
Edmonton Oilers
Why the hell not? If they can get some production out of the winger and flip him for a defensive asset, they could find a little hidden gem in what already looks like a lost season.
Let’s be honest here, as fun as it would be for him to go for any of those teams, it is unlikely that Semin gets picked up on waivers. His age is in decline and is a perplexing player. What team wants to take a risk on that?
