Alexander Semin
'07-08 Stats
Age (on October 1): 24
Contract:
RFA after '10
'07-08 Season Report
After scoring 38 goals as a 23 year old, the Capitals
were
looking for Semin to not only reach the 40-goal plateau, but to
approach the 50-goal mark. With the skill he possesses and the
playmaking abilities of new centers Michael Nylander and Nicklas
Backstrom, why not expect such an improvement?
But a bum ankle kept him out of the lineup early on, and
out
of game shape for much longer. His timing was off. His stickhandling
got him past the first or second guy, but rarely the last. And the
flops. Oh my, the flops. With the puck, without the puck. In the play,
away from the play. On the ice, in the parking lot. Well, I never saw
him fall in the parking lot, but it must have happened outside an icy
arena this past winter. Right?
Anywho, Semin will probably be that 40 or 50
goal
scorer, even next season. He's got all the skill in the world, the most
on the Caps, but he's got to strengthen his lower body. Imagine his
skill and half of Alex Ovechkin's strength. Wow.
Still, Semin finished 2nd on the Caps in goals, was the
most
consistent offensive threat during the playoffs, and lit it up at the
Worlds. Once Semin caught fire this season after scoring just twice in
his first 16 games, he finished with 33 goals in his last 63 games
including the playoffs and the IIHF World Championship.
Intangibles
A mastery of the English language would go a long way
for
Semin. Whereas Ovechkin has done all he can to assimilate, Semin
remains hidden from view. One would have to assume that his play could
reach new heights if he learns to communicate with his teammates and
coaches as everyone else can. Until then, the Caps will be happy with
better defensive play and staying upright.
Future Fit
If Semin can remain healthy, the prospects are good for
him to
be a top 10 goal scorer in the league for many years. With Semin and
Ovechkin, the Capitals have
a feared 1-2 punch in goal scoring that most other teams can only dream
of.
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