Canadiens take on Alex Semin with 1-year, $1.1 million deal
What's the perfect example of a "low risk/high reward" signing in the NHL? It's Alexander Semin signing a one-year, $1.1 million deal with the Montreal Canadiens, which the 31-year old forward did on Friday.
“We are very pleased to have reached a short term agreement with Alexander Semin. Alex is a pure goal scorer with a good shot. We believe his addition to our group of forwards will strengthen our offensive production and our powerplay. A veteran winger with size, Semin has reached the 20-goal plateau seven times since the beginning of his NHL career 12 years ago. His signing represents a great opportunity for the organization and for Alex’s career,” said general manager Marc Bergevin.
Semin was bought out earlier this month by the Carolina Hurricanes after three years in Raleigh. The Hurricanes owe Semin $14 million over the next six years, so his signing with a new NHL team would be about the best fit and not the price tag.
Semin struggled in Carolina, recording 6 goals and 19 points in 57 games last season. But now he'll be motivated and have a chance for a re-birth in Montreal under Michel Therrien (that relationship should be fun to watch).
"I want to try because last year was a bad season for me," Semin said on a Friday conference call. "I [didn't] score [many] points, I [didn't] play well. I'm [trying to] going back to how I can play. I think team [can] help me and I can help for the team too."
Semin agent, Mark Gandler, stated this week in an interview with SovSport that his client was reviewing a few NHL offers while sending some pointed comments toward Carolina head coach Bill Peters.
“[Semin’s] career can only go up. He is still young. His buyout was under unique circumstances and the (Hurricanes) coach did not understand Sasha’s game,” he said, as translated by HockeyVIPS.com.
Regarding the possibility of going to the KHL, Semin shot that down. "I'm still younger," he said. "I want to play here. My family likes living here, and I like [it], too."
Bergevin makes a small investment into something that could provide big returns. And if it fails, it's a small blip on the radar.
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