I've already said I don't expect us to. I was just making an argument as to why it would be beneficial for our team and why it makes sense to do so. I'm sure there are reasons that he either wouldn't play here (better offers elsewhere, would rather go to a team that has played better the last few years) or maybe Ottawa isn't interested in him.
Semin on a short term contract makes sense. He's looking for atleast 3+ years. Ottawa is wise to avoid such a contract. Too much risk.
I agree and that's probably why he hasn't been signed yet. He wants term while other teams are hesitant to throw the dice. If we wants to stay in the NHL he might have to consider taking a 1 year deal before getting term.
Pros:
Proven high-end ability
Fixes a known hole in the roster
Costs no assets
Adds experience to a young roster
Cons:
Possibile locker room issues, could set a bad example for roster if he loafs (deliberate or not deliberate)
Seeking a long term contract (blocks development of a huge prospect pool, makes him hard to trade/unload)
Likely to cost significant cap space
I mean, if he was only looking for a 1-2 year contract, it would be perfect, but unless he does, it doesn't fit the Senators plans very well.
Murray likes to take chances on highly skilled russian players. Fedorov in Anaheim. Gonchar, Filatov. Doesn't work every time but when it does, it can be a huge boost for a team.
Sens have lots of capspace. Make a big offer, 6.7 million for 3+ years. Have him taking passes from Karlsson and burying all day.
Murray likes to take chances on highly skilled russian players. Fedorov in Anaheim. Gonchar, Filatov. Doesn't work every time but when it does, it can be a huge boost for a team.
Sens have lots of capspace. Make a big offer, 6.7 million for 3+ years. Have him taking passes from Karlsson and burying all day.
How can you justify that contract after the season he just had?
If Bryan Murray even were to consider Semin, he could always ask Alfie or EK to speak to Bäckström, to get some inside info about his character. And if needed he could ask Gonchar as well, he should probably have some knowledge about his fellow countryman, and if he could help him fit in in Ottawa.
Can't see Semin going to any team unless a 3+ year contract is on the table. No team is offering this - yet - so he hasn't signed...
I would offer a 2 year max at about $5-6 mil/season. That's it though. I think he screws the pooch a bit in year 1 then has an above average season in year 2.
Seeking a long term contract (blocks development of a huge prospect pool, makes him hard to trade/unload)
Likely to cost significant cap space
Semin's ability is literally best case scenario from most of our top end prospects, and probably actually higher than most of our top end prospects. I don't consider it blocking a prospect when you're getting a player that is actually better than what they can become anyway. Cap space is no problem we're under the floor.
If Bryan Murray even were to consider Semin, he could always ask Alfie or EK to speak to Bäckström, to get some inside info about his character. And if needed he could ask Gonchar as well, he should probably have some knowledge about his fellow countryman, and if he could help him fit in in Ottawa.
Use your resources.
I'm sure we wouldn't have to go to great lengths to find out about Semin's character.
Semin's ability is literally best case scenario from most of our top end prospects, and probably actually higher than most of our top end prospects. I don't consider it blocking a prospect when you're getting a player that is actually better than what they can become anyway. Cap space is no problem we're under the floor.
Where do you get this stuff from? Do you have a crystal ball or something that you can so accurately and definitively predict the future of our prospects?
Where do you get this stuff from? Do you have a crystal ball or something that you can so accurately and definitively predict the future of our prospects?
The same crystal ball that said Rundblad > Karlsson.
if we are desperate to get to the cap floor, would could trade Butler for Pierre-Marc Bouchard. He is making just over 4 million for one last season.
I do understand we already took one injured player from minny, but it is an idea.
If we absolutely need to get to the cap floor, I'm completely fine with a "Butler for Expensive Overapid Player X" scenario, provided the player coming back isn't completely useless.
Butler for PMB? Sure.
Butler for Matt Stajan? Bleh.
