My word, it is so nice having that shot on our side instead of against us. It is so much fun to know the guy can flip his wrists and we're all tied. Skinner is getting to that point, too, but there's just something different about Sasha. All I know is it's fun to watch for the first time in a while.
IMO, he is the most naturally talented player in the game
This. Say what you will about his effort or chemistry issues with the Capitals, the guy is filthy. I would love for things to work out for him this season and see us working out a longer term deal.
I almost kinda wish JR would go ahead and sign an extension before he goes nuts, puts up 60pts and demands (and will get from someone) $7m+ on a long term deal.
I almost kinda wish JR would go ahead and sign an extension before he goes nuts, puts up 60pts and demands (and will get from someone) $7m+ on a long term deal.
My two biggest concerns with Semin:
1) Uses this season as a showcase for an absurd contract demand
1A) Is the exact opposite player in 2 months and we all want him gone. Re-signed to an absurd contract
I almost kinda wish JR would go ahead and sign an extension before he goes nuts, puts up 60pts and demands (and will get from someone) $7m+ on a long term deal.
He seems a little tentative still compared to his caps days. Not a lot of exploding into the zone aggressively or nearly as many dangles. I think he's trying to take a smarter approach which is awesome but obviously a trial and error thing. Id like to see him just do what comes naturally to him more often, hopefully that comes. The petulant locker room cancer thing seems to be a bunch of crap. He's working to make himself part of the team. I like it.
Still want more freaky freaky dangle and less trying to force play with staal. Sooner estaal learns which one of them should be the primary carrier of the puck the better.
I can see why he bugs people, but his talent is undeniable. This whole team can seriously look like it doesn't give a damn when they're playing poorly. Guys like E. Staal, Pitkanen, Semin, Corvo, Tlusty, Jokinen can seriously look like they're not even trying when they're not playing well. So in that respect, he fits right in.
On a more serious note, we added an elite player to each of our top two lines. It makes sense that it will take some time to develop some chemistry there and the non-existent pre-season didn't help us any. E. Staal and Semin look like they'll be OK once they stop trying to set each other up constantly (E. Staal seems to have gotten over that last night), and J. Staal/Skinner look better every day. The third wheels (Tlusty with E.Staal/Semin) and Dalpe (with J.Staal/Skinner) seem to be good fits, too.
Offensively, the Canes are looking good. Which is good, because they're going to give up around four a night.
He's easily the best player on the team and I'm not trolling
He's easily the MOST TALENTED player on the team, I don't think anyone who has more than 7 brain cells will refute that. He's one of the most talented in the league. But it's never been his talent that is questioned. And while it's only been four games, he looks VERY happy to be out there with this team, so far. The points are there, and the goals can't be far behind. A shot that wickedly good, won't miss the mark for long.
Signing him is the big catch 22. He either goes elsewhere, and continues to play like a league leader and earn the money, or he signs here and goes down the toilet! JR can't win.
He wins if he signs him to a 2 to 3 year deal at the most. I'd be happy with two. Little risk there. Even if he bombs he should be moveable and if he isn't it won't be a crushing wait till he's gone. If rather be saddled with that for two then a more extended ruutu who while you wont question his effort won't even play half his games and becomes a bit less effective every time he comes back.
I'd gladly give him Ruutu's contract plus $1 million more per year. Ruutu is extremely overpaid....and often injured. And has never come close to putting up numbers like Semin.
For lack of anything better to do on this icy Raleigh morning, I was prowling around HockeyBuzz.com and found Semin named in the site's "50 Most Tradable Players" list. Site is negligent in also listing the 1st and 3rd we would send to move him.
1) Uses this season as a showcase for an absurd contract demand
1A) Is the exact opposite player in 2 months and we all want him gone. Re-signed to an absurd contract
This. I'm not hating on Semin at all, like I said, he's proving me wrong so far. But I want to see if he still plays like this in game 34, then I'll be all over the extension bandwagon.
Like Blueline Bomber used to say "Cautiously Optimistic".
