FanHouse's Adam Gretz takes a look at his top 50 players in the NHL. No. 28 is Washington Capitals forward Alexander Semin. Starting with the 2002 draft, the Washington Capitals made it their mission to hoard as many first-round picks as humanly possible, making 14 selections in the first round between 2002 and 2008. No team had more than 11, while only Los Angeles and Phoenix had more than 10 over the same time period.
The result has been an up-and-coming team in the Eastern Conference that has taken significant strides the past two seasons, and was just one game away from reaching the conference finals in 2008-09. One of the players responsible for the team's recent success has been winger, and 2002 first-round pick, Alexander Semin.
The NHL's Top 50 Players: See the Entire List
Playing on a team with Alex Ovechkin, it's easy for players to get lost in the shuffle, and despite the incredible numbers he was putting up this season, it sometimes seemed like Semin was known more for an interview answer (hey, I admit it, I focused on it, too) than his actual on-ice performance. Despite playing in just 62 games for the Capitals, the 25-year-old Semin registered career highs in assists (45) and points (79), while also putting up his second 30-goal campaign.
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Draft Year: 2002
One of the Capitals' three first-rounders in '02, Semin was picked 13th overall, one spot after the team selected defenseman Steve Eminger.
Why He's On My List
Ridiculous skill. There are few players with more raw talent than Semin, and his points-per-game average in 2008-09 was higher than every player in the league not named Ovechkin, Malkin, or Crosby. Assuming he actually plays more than 77 games in a season at some point, he would appear to be a lock for 40 goals (or perhaps even 45). Should never, ever, under any circumstances, be involved in another fight in the NHL. Ever.
Obligatory YouTube Video
Crazy goal from this season against the Carolina Hurricanes. Semin falls to his knees, stickhandles, and then scores from the top of the circle.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-30-2009 @ 9:23AM
Thomas said...
What a amazing goal alex semin and ovechkin are like the kings of the team their the best.
i cant wait till next seoson.
Reply
7-30-2009 @ 9:29AM
claytor said...
Id take Spezza over this guy, too...
Too fragile to be considered as good as this, when he can put a couple, not just one, but a couple of full seasons under his belt? Then im sure hell be a top tenner in the league, easily.
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8-03-2009 @ 11:26PM
bcny77 said...
Semin's talent is unmatched in the NHL, save for Datsyuk. I believe he was a little injured in the 2nd round in the playoffs, and couldnt get it going. If he's able to stay healthy for the next few years, he'll challenge for the Art Ross.
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8-04-2009 @ 2:39PM
breaklance said...
Semin's a phenomenal player and one of the few guys that get really overlooked on the Caps team. I'm surprised that Niklas Backstrom the center for the caps doesn't grace the list as he was the most productive center not named Crosby, Malkin, or Datsyuk. 3rd highest assits, 88 points, +/- 25 and among the lowest TOI for the top 10 points getters. But I'll stop campaigning for him...
Semin does seem "fragile" but he was playing with a pretty bad injury in the playoffs, reportedly, and still did well. He can often be an underrated 2nd line tool for the caps and he has among the fastest shots in the league(no obligatory youtube video here but so many times he scored from a stand still mere moments after his Center winning the faceoff)
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8-10-2009 @ 12:14AM
blindskateluke said...
I watched most of the Caps games last year, and here's what I'll say about Semin: his talent is absolutely unmatched. He's the most skilled player on the team, even more so than Ovechkin. But he does have a bad rap for being fragile and not playing through minor injuries in the regular season. He'll disappear from some games at times. Semin is often guilty of trying to make the perfect play rather than just crashing the net (as is the entire Caps team - enter Mike Knuble). Quite honestly, I'd rather have Backstrom.
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8-18-2009 @ 3:41AM
monkeyman0077 said...
completely agree with blind
I would take backstrom (center) in a hearbeat over semin.
I am aware that his assists on powerplays and primary assist even strength percentage is great, but something about the absolute bone headed plays screams I am dany heatley but not a first liner.
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