Capitals sign enigmatic Alex Semin to 1-year deal

One of the phrases that stood out in the Washington Capitals
announcement of Alex Semin’s new 1-year deal with the
team
: "Semin
is tied for the league lead with three hat tricks, which came in a 35-day span
from Oct. 23 to Nov. 26."

In
that span, Semin scored 15 of his 18 goals this season, often looking like an
unstoppable offensive force.

And since that span, he’s scored one.

Of
course, as usual, there are injuries to consider: Semin has been out since Jan.
8 with a lower body injury, which dates
back to mid-December.
Whatever the case, he hasn’t been himself since the
torrid streak that had fans declaring his absence from the All-Star Game ballot
should be considered a "snub."

There’s
no question he’s nitroglycerine offensively: 40 goals last season and a career
best 84 points, and 35 points in 39 games this year. But
the fits of invisibility have become as commonplace as his propensity for
injuries. That this isn’t a long-term contract should come as no surprise to
anyone, especially Alex Semin.

Semin, 26, made $6 million against the cap this season and Corey Masisak of
NHL.com cites a team source
as saying Semin’s new deal will earn him $6.7 million.

Will the end of his impending free
agency settle him down mentally? Does this contract and cap hit make him more
tradable, if the need should arise? GM George McPhee said today that the team was willing to open long-term contract talks with Semin, but the other party wanted a shorter term. 

From
an interview with McPhee at the start of the season via Japer’s Rink
,
it’s clear the GM respects his talent and doesn’t blame Semin for the
disappearing act he pulled in last postseason:

"No.
He played outstanding during the playoffs last season. The fact that the puck
didn’t make it into the net does not mean that he played poorly. He made 44
shots on goal! I don’t think there was a single player in the entire league
that made as many shots in a single series of those playoffs. No, he doesn’t
have to prove us anything."

They,
and the fans, know what they’re getting in one more season of Alex Semin.

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