To trade or not to trade Semin

[ChaosLex]

http://msn.foxsports.com/nhl/story/Caps-should-consider-moving-Semin

[MikeAD]

To trade or not to trade may be the question, but not to trade is the answer.

[Miller Time]

Depending on what the trade is, you absolutely have to listen. Backstrom is a higher priority to sign. If we could net a pretty solid deal with draft picks and young talent, the front office should atleast entertain offers.

[DuffMan]

To trade or not to trade may be the question, but not to trade is the answer.

And that would be the wrong answer.

[MuhladaOs]

Depending on what the trade is, you absolutely have to listen. Backstrom is a higher priority to sign. If we could net a pretty solid deal with draft picks and young talent, the front office should atleast entertain offers.

I agree 100%. You have to, just have to lock Nicklas Backstrom to a long term deal. He will probably ask for Pavel Datsyuk money (in the range of 6-7 million) hopefullly for 5+ years.

Backstrom continues to grow into his frame and is one of the top two-way centers in the league right now at a ripe age of 22. As he continues his career you can slot him in as a 30 goal 70 assist center. And in the past two seasons, he has continued to play competitve in the playoffs, something you can't ignore. (haha Joe Thornton u know nothing of this!)

As for Alexander Semin, the FO has to be able to dangle Semin during the trade deadline and see what type of deals get thrown our way. We need a top 2 pairing defenseman, preferably a shut down defenseman but a puck moving defenseman would also be nice (if Green were to go down in the playoffs we would be ****ed).

As much as Semin brings to the table in terms of jaw dropping offense and his ability to win a game off his sick wrist shot, we can not afford to keep him at 5-6 million+ per year. We would be handicapping our salary especially considering our young prospects are going to get their pay day (think Alzner, Carlson, Varlamov) once their entry contracts are up.

If I were George McPhee I would lock up Backstrom to a multi-year deal, and then sign Eric Fehr and Thomas Fleischman to 2 or 3 year deals and try to move Alex Semin during the trade deadline (only if it brings back a top 2 defenseman, nothing else).

Going into the playoffs this year with Ovechkin, Backstrom, Knuble, Laich, Morrison and Fehr, that is certainly enough offensive production to keep up w/ the Devils, Penguins & Sabres.

As much as I love watching you score Alex Semin, for the better part of the club and our future to winning, we simply can not afford to pay you long-term.

Keep in mind any top 2 defensemen we get in return for Alex Semin, we would try to lock up long term with Theodore's salary coming off the books next year.

In the mean time guys like Jeff Schultz, Tom Poti & Brian Pothier need to really step it up and give it 110% in the Playoffs if we can not move Semin.

[hoosiers]

Why do they have to move Semin now? Why not after the season? Like a sign and trade?

This is a team ready to go deep in the playoffs and I would rather not weaken the team (as in trade for draft picks) in order to secure a more competitive future.

[Miller Time]

Why do they have to move Semin now? Why not after the season? Like a sign and trade?

This is a team ready to go deep in the playoffs and I would rather not weaken the team (as in trade for draft picks) in order to secure a more competitive future.

They arent in a position where they have to move him. He is a point scoring machine by far, but if you are overwhelmed in a deal, you have to consider it.

I am a firm believer that this team has enough role players, that we can win the cup without Semin. He is signed through this year only, so a sign and trade is less likely.

My opinion has no relevance in the matter, but I would definately like to see them make a run with Semin on the team, and forego trading him, but as stated before, you always "entertain all offers".

[WietersOvechkin]

I agree 100%. You have to, just have to lock Nicklas Backstrom to a long term deal. He will probably ask for Pavel Datsyuk money (in the range of 6-7 million) hopefullly for 5+ years.

Backstrom continues to grow into his frame and is one of the top two-way centers in the league right now at a ripe age of 22. As he continues his career you can slot him in as a 30 goal 70 assist center. And in the past two seasons, he has continued to play competitve in the playoffs, something you can't ignore. (haha Joe Thornton u know nothing of this!)

As for Alexander Semin, the FO has to be able to dangle Semin during the trade deadline and see what type of deals get thrown our way. We need a top 2 pairing defenseman, preferably a shut down defenseman but a puck moving defenseman would also be nice (if Green were to go down in the playoffs we would be ****ed).

As much as Semin brings to the table in terms of jaw dropping offense and his ability to win a game off his sick wrist shot, we can not afford to keep him at 5-6 million+ per year. We would be handicapping our salary especially considering our young prospects are going to get their pay day (think Alzner, Carlson, Varlamov) once their entry contracts are up.

If I were George McPhee I would lock up Backstrom to a multi-year deal, and then sign Eric Fehr and Thomas Fleischman to 2 or 3 year deals and try to move Alex Semin during the trade deadline (only if it brings back a top 2 defenseman, nothing else).

Going into the playoffs this year with Ovechkin, Backstrom, Knuble, Laich, Morrison and Fehr, that is certainly enough offensive production to keep up w/ the Devils, Penguins & Sabres.

As much as I love watching you score Alex Semin, for the better part of the club and our future to winning, we simply can not afford to pay you long-term.

Keep in mind any top 2 defensemen we get in return for Alex Semin, we would try to lock up long term with Theodore's salary coming off the books next year.

In the mean time guys like Jeff Schultz, Tom Poti & Brian Pothier need to really step it up and give it 110% in the Playoffs if we can not move Semin.

I am going to disagree with this.

First off we can all agree that the Capitals without Semin are a playoff team. So Semin's injury concerns during the regular season do not bother me. However, he has shown that he will play hurt in the playoffs (look at the Pittsburgh series our entire roster played hurt). Saying that his team can win without him may be true but there is no question that he is the second most important player on this team. Last year we were down 2-0 to the Rangers and were playing in MSG with a rookie goaltender in his first start in the post season. What did Alex Semin do, he scores not 1 but 2 first period goals. IMO without Semin I dont think we win the series.

Secondly, if you look at the PP% with him in the lineup vs him not in the lineup its night and day. I dont have the exact stats on it but I remember them showing the stat in the Vancouver game that we were over 30% with him in and under 10% with him out. With Semin in the lineup we are a different team and I personally think that its a no brainer, that if we can lock him to a contract of around 6M per year that we have to do it.

The downside to Semin are the injury concerns and the stupid penalties. First off the stupid penalties that he notorious for taking he has clearly cut down on them this season and hes also been a huge plus on the penalty kill which is something that Ovie doesn't do. As for his injury concerns, if hes a little banged up in the regular season I have no problem him missing time because we have Ovie, Flash, Backs, Knuble... the list goes on for players who can step up. In the regular season I would rather have a healthy Semin for 60 games and know that he will be fresh for playoffs.

As for the contract and our salary cap, I believe Backs will be number one priority this offseason and will get a deal around 6M per season. I for one cant see backs taking over a playoff series like Ovie and Semin can do. If we can lock up Semin for the same type of deal, around 6M per season I think we will still have enough money to keep our other young players. We have to remember that Nylander's albatross of a contract, 4.875M against the cap, will not be on the books next year as well as Theo's 4.5M, Pothier's 2.5M or Morrisonn's 2M. That is a lot of money coming off the books if we are speculating a 1.5M raise to Semin (4.5 to 6) and a 5M raise to Backs (1M to 6M) that still leaves us with over 7M to re-up with Flash and Fehr. As for the younger guys like Carlson, Alzner and VarlAmov I think we shouldn't be to worried about them just yet. Alzner is a defensive defenseman and therefore will not command the type of money that Green got he just wont have the offesive numbers to warrant that type of money. Varly is one that we may have to worry about considering how well he has played early in his career but by the time his contract is up guys like Poti (3.5M) and Clark (2.6M) will be off the books and we will have more money to spend.

Semin is a gamechanger, plain and simple, and I for one do not want to see him in another uniform come 2010. I mean honestly do you really want to see Semin a year from now torching the Caps.

I should prolly get back to work.:laughlol::laughlol:

[Miller Time]

I am going to disagree with this.

First off we can all agree that the Capitals without Semin are a playoff team. So Semin's injury concerns during the regular season do not bother me. However, he has shown that he will play hurt in the playoffs (look at the Pittsburgh series our entire roster played hurt). Saying that his team can win without him may be true but there is no question that he is the second most important player on this team. Last year we were down 2-0 to the Rangers and were playing in MSG with a rookie goaltender in his first start in the post season. What did Alex Semin do, he scores not 1 but 2 first period goals. IMO without Semin I dont think we win the series.

Secondly, if you look at the PP% with him in the lineup vs him not in the lineup its night and day. I dont have the exact stats on it but I remember them showing the stat in the Vancouver game that we were over 30% with him in and under 10% with him out. With Semin in the lineup we are a different team and I personally think that its a no brainer, that if we can lock him to a contract of around 6M per year that we have to do it.

The downside to Semin are the injury concerns and the stupid penalties. First off the stupid penalties that he notorious for taking he has clearly cut down on them this season and hes also been a huge plus on the penalty kill which is something that Ovie doesn't do. As for his injury concerns, if hes a little banged up in the regular season I have no problem him missing time because we have Ovie, Flash, Backs, Knuble... the list goes on for players who can step up. In the regular season I would rather have a healthy Semin for 60 games and know that he will be fresh for playoffs.

As for the contract and our salary cap, I believe Backs will be number one priority this offseason and will get a deal around 6M per season. I for one cant see backs taking over a playoff series like Ovie and Semin can do. If we can lock up Semin for the same type of deal, around 6M per season I think we will still have enough money to keep our other young players. We have to remember that Nylander's albatross of a contract, 4.875M against the cap, will not be on the books next year as well as Theo's 4.5M, Pothier's 2.5M or Morrisonn's 2M. That is a lot of money coming off the books if we are speculating a 1.5M raise to Semin (4.5 to 6) and a 5M raise to Backs (1M to 6M) that still leaves us with over 7M to re-up with Flash and Fehr. As for the younger guys like Carlson, Alzner and VarlAmov I think we shouldn't be to worried about them just yet. Alzner is a defensive defenseman and therefore will not command the type of money that Green got he just wont have the offesive numbers to warrant that type of money. Varly is one that we may have to worry about considering how well he has played early in his career but by the time his contract is up guys like Poti (3.5M) and Clark (2.6M) will be off the books and we will have more money to spend.

Semin is a gamechanger, plain and simple, and I for one do not want to see him in another uniform come 2010. I mean honestly do you really want to see Semin a year from now torching the Caps.

I should prolly get back to work.:laughlol::laughlol:

I cannot argue with any facts that were just said. I do agree with you. I was just stating that you have to "entertain offers". I would love to lock Semin up long term

[WietersOvechkin]

They arent in a position where they have to move him. He is a point scoring machine by far, but if you are overwhelmed in a deal, you have to consider it.

I am a firm believer that this team has enough role players, that we can win the cup without Semin. He is signed through this year only, so a sign and trade is less likely.

My opinion has no relevance in the matter, but I would definately like to see them make a run with Semin on the team, and forego trading him, but as stated before, you always "entertain all offers".


I cannot argue with any facts that were just said. I do agree with you. I was just stating that you have to "entertain offers". I would love to lock Semin up long term

One thing that I am not sure people are aware of is that Semin is a restricted free agent. This means based on the contract that he receives on the free agent market we will be rewarded draft pick compensation.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=34760

That is what the compensation was last year so I will use that as a bench mark for next year. I personally believe that Semin should get over 6M per season and therefore the caps would receive 2 1st rounders a 2nd rounder and a 3rd rounder as compensation. I think that is safe to say that we should be well compensated if we were to lose Semin.

I do agree we should listen to offers but I HIGHLY doubt we will be getting anything close to his value or for that matter close to what the compensation would be if we lost him. JMO.

[ChaosLex]

It's being reported that Alexander Semin has just agreed to a 1-year contract extension with the Caps.

Interesting...

[ChaosLex]

Here's the link.

http://capitals.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=511136

[hoosiers]

The whole "trade Semin" discussion seemed entirely without logic to me.

This makes more sense.

[allstar1579]

The whole "trade Semin" discussion seemed entirely without logic to me.

This makes more sense.

Eh, I kinda got it, but not sure where I stand so I didn't really chime in. I get that we have a limited cap we are up against, Ovie eating up almost 1/4 of it, and young talented guys all coming due raises soon. You can't afford them all, so at some point trading some for more young talent to ensure our streak continues makes sense. Especially as we have more guys develop and need spots for them. We have one of the top farm systems in the NHL and a good group of players in the 'A' that can't crack our roster, but are too good for the minors.

I think we need the great secondary sniper to take pressure off Ovie, and I think we have enough DEF talent coming up that we don't need to make a big splash. I mean, I get we are all used to the O's, but this is a far different situation, we are the no. 1 team i the NHL, do we really need to make ANY moves?

[DuffMan]

Eh, I kinda got it, but not sure where I stand so I didn't really chime in. I get that we have a limited cap we are up against, Ovie eating up almost 1/4 of it, and young talented guys all coming due raises soon. You can't afford them all, so at some point trading some for more young talent to ensure our streak continues makes sense. Especially as we have more guys develop and need spots for them. We have one of the top farm systems in the NHL and a good group of players in the 'A' that can't crack our roster, but are too good for the minors.

I think we need the great secondary sniper to take pressure off Ovie, and I think we have enough DEF talent coming up that we don't need to make a big splash. I mean, I get we are all used to the O's, but this is a far different situation, we are the no. 1 team i the NHL, do we really need to make ANY moves?

Speaking of that depth how quickly is our goalie situation turning from a minus to major plus. You've got Varly with a chance at the Calder, Nevirth has been playing great lately, and Hotby has been putting up sick numbers down in Hershey!

And in the past week we just outscored Buffalo (I was at that game!) and NJ 2 of the top 3 teams in the conference by a combined score of 9-3!.

[MuhladaOs]

Why do they have to move Semin now? Why not after the season? Like a sign and trade?

This is a team ready to go deep in the playoffs and I would rather not weaken the team (as in trade for draft picks) in order to secure a more competitive future.

I don't believe GMGM was ever in a position to trade Alex Semin for draft picks (kind of what the Boston Bruins did with Phil Kessel to the Leafs, Kessel puts up same production as Semin).

It would of been a trade for a top 2 pairing defenseman like a Tomas Kaberle or a Scott Neidermeyer (Neidermeyer being only a rental type trade, which would be stupid imo).

As for our future, GMGM has done a terrific job through the draft in the past five years by drafting defense first and goalies. We are already familiar with the play of Mike Green, Jeff Schultz & Shane Mo. And the draft picks of Karl Alzner, John Calrson & Josh Godfrey are really starting to show how deep we are on Defense.

Obviously Semyon Varlamov as a 1st round selection has really paid debts as he continues to learn the North American game and has shown raw athletic ability that is jaw dropping.

GMGM has done a great job of drafting and as we start to fall down in the order of our draft due to our regular season success (in the bottom 20's) I can see GMGM continue to draft defense first in this position or the highest rated player at time of draft. (GMGM really has taken a page out of GM Ken Holland of the Redwings, where they have been drafting many europeans and defensive prospects first with their first round selections)

[MuhladaOs]

Eh, I kinda got it, but not sure where I stand so I didn't really chime in. I get that we have a limited cap we are up against, Ovie eating up almost 1/4 of it, and young talented guys all coming due raises soon. You can't afford them all, so at some point trading some for more young talent to ensure our streak continues makes sense. Especially as we have more guys develop and need spots for them. We have one of the top farm systems in the NHL and a good group of players in the 'A' that can't crack our roster, but are too good for the minors.

I think we need the great secondary sniper to take pressure off Ovie, and I think we have enough DEF talent coming up that we don't need to make a big splash. I mean, I get we are all used to the O's, but this is a far different situation, we are the no. 1 team i the NHL, do we really need to make ANY moves?

Well in my opinion by the 1 year extension of Alex Semin it looks like GMGM is fairly confident with the current roster of our 1st place Capitals. And he has all the right to be, and it looks like if he were to make any type of trade before the dead-line it would be for another "veteran" type player but why at this point when you went out and signed Mike Knuble and Brendan Morrison, both veterans w/ leadership and playoff experience during the offseason.

I could see a trade for a top 4 pairing defenseman with some grit, but with how John Erskine is playing and Jeff Schultz continued success playing top minutes, it looks more and more less likely.

I agree that we do need secondary scoring to take pressure off our top line, but Fleischmann, Knuble & Laich....even Fehr have done an incredible job this year. I didn't even mention Brendan Morrison. Sure they don't possess the raw talent which is the enigmatic Alexander Semin who by the flick of one wrist can score top shelf glove side even being unbalanced. I by no means think Alex Semin isn't a game breaker. But I question his desire to be the best he can be every shift, every game, he doesn't commit like Ovi, but honestly is there anyone else that really does? Ovechkin is just a rare personality. So it's almost unfair to even compare anyone against Ovi.

However, you do not win stanley cups with Alex Semin's. How many stanley cups does Alex Kovalev have? And is it not safe to say they are the same type of Russian player? Both possess skills that make even professional hockey players jaws drop. And both have play similar roles on their current team.

I love Alex Semin and what he brings to the game, but in the end, we are a top 5 team in the NHL without him and I just hope he doesn't cost us a lot of $ moving forward. Especially w/ the talent we have at Hershey. That's all it really comes down too, freeing up enough $ so we can constantly keep a young "core" together. And my core for the next five years would have to be Ovechkin, Backstrom, Green, Laich, Varlamov, Fleischmann, Fehr, Alzner, Carlson all of which are 25 years and under.

With that core for the next five years we should be a Stanley Cup contender.

And for the next four years atleast that core will have to play against Stanley Cup Champs Crosby, Malkin, Fleury & Staal.