Alexander Semin: What's So Special About Sidney Crosby?

Over the past three seasons, I've gotten to know Dmitry Chesnokov of Sovetsky Sport very, very well. He's come in handy here at FanHouse in more than a few instances -- most recently yesterday when he provided translations of interviews with Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin and San Jose's Evgeni Nabokov.

Now, Chesnokov has done it again, this time over at Puck Daddy, where he's conducted a wide-ranging interview with the NHL's next superstar, Alex Ovechkin's teammate, Alexander Semin. Like most Russian hockey writers, Chesnokov seems to have the ability to connect with Russian players in a way that few North American hockey writers seem to be able to connect with their North American counterparts.

Time and time again, reporters like Chesnokov seem able to pry facts and opinions out of Russian players that we hardly ever see in the North American media. Earlier this week, Chesnokov sat down with Semin at a local sushi joint to talk hockey where he unearthed this nuggets from Semin:

Many people believe the Crosby/Malkin/Ovechkin rivalry is now the Crosby/Malkin/Ovechkin/Semin rivalry. Do you believe you're on that level of hockey stardom at this point in your career?
What's so special about [Crosby]? I don't see anything special there. Yes, he does skate well, has a good head, good pass. But there's nothing else. Even if you compare him to Patrick Kane from Chicago ... [Kane] is a much more interesting player. The way he moves, his deking abilities, his thinking on the ice and his anticipation of the play is so superb.

I think that if you take any player, even if he is "dead wood," and start promoting him, you'll get a star. Especially if he scores 100 points. No one is going to care about anyone else. No one is going to care whether he possesses great skill. Let's say you put someone in front of the net and let him deflect pucks in, and he scored 50 goals; everyone will say "Wow!" and then hand him a $10 million per year contract. That's what they like here.

Go read the rest of the incredible interview, right now.

UPDATE: Chesnokov tells me that a more complete version of the interview will appear next month in Sovetsky Sport.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

10-31-2008 @ 1:20PM

Mayor McCheese said...

Yeah, what's so special about carrying a team to the Stanley Cup Finals when you're 20 years old? I guess Semin wouldn't know anything about that.

10-31-2008 @ 1:48PM

Colonial said...

"I think that if you take any player, even if he is "dead wood," and start promoting him, you'll get a star. Especially if he scores 100 points. No one is going to care whether he possesses great skill."

He makes it sound like the 100 points can just happen to anyone. You need great skill (or need to play with someone with great skill) to hit that stat line in the first place.

Semin has been a good player for years but he won't be worthy of being mentioned alongside Crosby, AO, or Malkin until he develops some consistency.

Also, seriously he sees nothing interesting about Crosby? I haven't seen Pat Kane do anything like that figure skater like spin Crosby pulled to avoid a check last year.

11-19-2008 @ 6:41PM

caps852 said...

Alex said it perfectly. No one is saying that crosby is a bad player. There is no doubting that he is a good player anyone in the N.H.L. is at worst decent. However... Crosby is an over rated cry baby. He complains about everything. Why doesn't he grow a set and stand up for himself on the ice rather than go gets his teammates to fight his battles. You see the greats in hockey do that now from ovechking to semin to iginla and many more. I'M tired of hearing that Crosby the savior of hockey, He is a good player he is not great not event he best on his own team. He doesnt deserve half of the respect he gets. He is an overrated prissy little bitch its a mans game if you cant take it go play tennis.

11-12-2008 @ 10:34PM

Evan G said...

That's because Patrick Kane is not a little girl and needs to resort to figure skating.

10-31-2008 @ 5:15PM

LB said...

"And in Russia people like beautiful hockey, and not dump and chase".

What a joke! Go back to Russia...

10-31-2008 @ 8:16PM

shaune said...

100 points is easy???? I guess that's why Semin scores 100 points every year, oh wait a minute, he's never scored 100 points in a season ever. Ahh let me see .... Crosby score 102 as a 18 year old ( youngest person in NHL history) that being with a bunch of no bodies. Crosby scored 120 points as a 19 year old. Won every award that year. I dare say Semin might just be getting slighly carried away with his little scoring sucess right now. Let's just see who at the end of the year takes the awards again.. My guess a guy by the name of Crosby...

10-31-2008 @ 11:32PM

Rob said...

Well we like smash and bang rough hockey here. Go back to russia and play your balet on ice. You couldn`t carry Crosby`s bag of pucks.

11-01-2008 @ 11:48AM

Steve said...

I'm a Flyers fan and I hate all things Penguin, especially Sidney Crosby. But as much as I can't stand all the diving and all the protection by the refs, there's no doubt that he's one of the best players in the NHL. Comparisons to Wayne Gretzky are probably a bit far fetched (at least for now, let's wait a few years to make that sort of judgment), but it's not far fetched to say that he's one of the most skilled players that the league has seen in many years.

11-01-2008 @ 8:11PM

conv6972 said...

I'll wait and see how Crosby does this year. They lost significant talent during the off season and it will be interesting to see how he reacts. I don't think he is capable of producing last years numbers though.

11-07-2008 @ 8:37AM

kir said...

I'm not trying to be rude but; how much do you know about hockey? Crosby was out for 1/3 of the pens games last year, and scored 72 points. That was consisting of so many different players on his line. As what has been the case since he got to the league. Plus, Marian Hossa wasn't with them all year. Even when they did play neither was healthy enough to get the chemistry started right away. Ryan Malone as much as I like him; is a John LeClair type player who yes is a good player; but stands in front of the net to get his production. I think if Crosby stays healthy he'll get his 100 points, as he would've last year. As for Alexander Semin who has played about the same time as Crosby doesn't have the numbers to match Sid. Crosby is three years younger than him. Even with Sid being hurt most of last season Crosby finished with more points than Semin; who played in more games. What does that tell you. For the comment that in Russia they play "beautiful hockey", thats hilarious. The NHL roots are based on the north american way; hard nosed and blue collar. Don't get me wrong when I make this comment I respect the skill and toughness of russian players; all european players for that matter. But, they all wonder why people in North America don't view them as tough players. I mean beautiful hockey. Everyone knows you dump the puck in the opponents zone to generate scoring chances and to cycle the puck to work the defence. Not every player can score the beautiful goals. Sometimes you have to go in to the crease to get scoring chances.

11-01-2008 @ 5:03PM

MJ said...

The NHL and Hockey is a joke and not a major sport, nobody cares who wins in NHL, send it back to Canada.

11-01-2008 @ 11:07PM

CroSby-FAn87 said...

Then why are you commenting on a hockey quote???...Hockey is the best sport of all. Or I suppose a dumb yankee such as yourself likes basketball...where all the players are 8 ft. tall...wow that takes skill..maybe if they were 5ft. tall it may be interesting...or maybe my ignorant yankee friend likes football...where you don't have to work for more than 4 seconds before they blow the whistle?..please...and GOLF???...(won't even comment)...

AS FOR THE DEBATE: Crosby rocks and Semin can kiss my Canadian ass!

Jes Golbez said...

Wow, jealous much Alex?

11-02-2008 @ 12:45AM

Smizzi said...

OK HE IS AN IDIOT First u dont say another player is worthless not cool and secondly He mostly just burned Ovechkin 2 cause if winnin the Hart Ross trophy and gettin over 100 points is easy then Alex is worthless 2

11-02-2008 @ 11:21AM

lynn said...

I agree Alex.....Crosby doens't look so good without a good feeder. There are a lot of very skilled hockey players in the NHL and all the attention Crysby gets takes away from the complete players. Guys who go out every game and do it all. Crysby isn't that guy. He's a goal scorer and cry baby who's presence has changed hockey into some kind of garbage game for sissies who can't take a hit. He's not the only player with skills and I'm sick and tired of hearing his name and seeing his face all over everything the NHL puts out. His team got lucky last year facing an injured Flyers squad, they won't get that lucky again.

11-03-2008 @ 2:54AM

Clearly Lynn has never watched Crosby play or even glanced at his stat line. Let me fill you in: Crosby's major talent is playmaking, he isn't a natural goal scorer at all. Sid has averaged nearly an assist a game and never hit 40 goals a season. He needs a finisher on his wing, not a setup man.

Please have at least a basic knowledge of the players you are going to dismiss as "incomplete".

11-03-2008 @ 9:34AM

Dan said...

Ok first off Lynn, the Flyers suck, again, I respect the Flyers but they suck, and last year they got beat, plain and simple. GET OVER IT!

Now for Alex, are an idiot? You just called out the best player in the league. That's like saying Ray Lewis is just a pretty good tackler, or Michael Jordan could just jump really high, or all Albert Pujols can do is swing the bat. I guess I should be thanking you, big players respond when hacks call em out and you'll never be more than second fiddle behind Alex down in Washington and wait and see how Crosby responds, then we'll see who the "dead-wood" really is......jagoff

11-03-2008 @ 2:21PM

SidneyCrosby said...

I think Alexander Semin is a great player...
and a very big idiot!

First, Sidney Crosby never asked for all the attention he gets. The NHL pinned the spokesman of the league on his. He's a pretty humble guy who doesnt feel the need to call out other players to make himself feel good.

Second, Sidney Crosby is an exceptional player who was on track to once again be the points leader before he got injured. He might not score the number of goals that Ovechkin scores, but he make everyone around his better. The sign of a good player is someone who makes his entire team better. Alexander Semin. you dont.

Sidney Crosby captained his team to the stanley cup finals as a 20 year old, he rebounded after a high ankle sprain, which as an athlete whose had it before , is pretty hard to reconver from. And to say Crosby is nothing special, that he dumps and chases, is a pure crock. He understands that stcik handeling past 3 people is not as benifical as a beuatiful pass that sets up a goal.

So Alexander Semin... Go grow a pair dummi.

11-04-2008 @ 6:43PM

Pat said...

He never even bothered to answer the question, Sid at least was smart enough to save his true feelings for the caps and semin when asked about the remarks. A lot of great points have been made, i would like to add my new-found respect for a flyers fan who even said he is a great player. I hate the flyers but that took alot for him to say. Also Ovechkin is a dirty player who doesnt deserve the respect he gets.

11-17-2008 @ 7:23PM

JH said...

I wouldn;t say Crosby sucks like Semin is, but I would definitely pick ovechkin over crosby. I think crosby is an amazing player and he is definitely one of the best players in the league ( better than semin imo) but ovechkin wins my pick hands down. my thoughts http://jib-sports-culture.blogspot.com/2008/11/ovechkin-vs-crosby.html

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