Since he might book it back to Russia, Semin long term. but grudgingly. I really don't like him. It's just it's NHL roster player vs guy playing in Russia...do you have another choice?
Why is this so lopsided? I know Radulov is a young player, but Semin is much more productive.
Well he has 44 more points then Radulov in 59 more games
On a more serious note have you seen Semin play this year and last, and the playoffs of 09-10. In all 155 of those games he has had 112 points (51 goals), this is way below what he is capable of, he shouldn't have had such a drop off during his prime.
In the 156 games before that he had 185 points (82 goals).
Glad you know Semin's motivation. He has played fantastic under Hunter. The most unbelievable stat is that he only has taken two penalties in the last 20 games.
Ask this again next year. Give Semin more time to learn how to put heart into his game under Hunter. Give Radulov time to show what he has at NHL level again, or if he goes whining back to Russian because he's a spoiled brat.
Right now neither.
Glad you know Semin's motivation. He has played fantastic under Hunter. The most unbelievable stat is that he only has taken two penalties in the last 20 games.
Radulov has looked good in the couple games I've watched since his return. Semin has always looked like a "floater" to me. He scores a lot, but does little else to help a team. He seemed to play half-heartedly a lot of the time. Hockey is a team sport. I wouldn't want a player like that on my team. In the few games I saw this past week, Radulov also played defence pretty well. I don't remember seeing Semin do that.
I'm biased, of course, but I take Rads. Admittedly, I do not watch many Caps games, so I will not comment on Semin's play. However, I have seen every NHL game in which Radulov has played. The guy is pure energy. He is always battling for the puck if he doesn't have it. If he does have it, he is battling to create a chance for himself or a teammate. If his teammate has the puck he is battling to get open to provide an option. He has yet to look like he has quit, even when we were getting stomped by the Pens in his very first game back.
If I knew that Radulov was going to stay in the NHL, then him. More physical, goes harder to the net, battles harder for the puck, and just plays a higher energy game in general. Semin IMO has more talent, but he floats too much and is too easily kept to the outside, Radulov competes hard and loves playing in traffic, and is still very skilled too. Radulov seems like a bit of a dbag, never liked his extravagant goal celebrations (especially in the Q), but he plays very hard on the ice, I think he's a PPG player at the NHL level who will also hustle and win puck battles, that's pretty valuable.
Now, if Radulov bolts right back to the KHL, while Semin stays in the NHL, then obviously I'd rather have Semin, he's still quite a good player even if his effort level/motor is fairly poor. If both stay in the NHL, though, give me Rads.
