While I’m not usually one to blog about specific breaking news simply because they tend to have already been overly discussed and debated countless times, I couldn’t help but resist discussing the Montreal Canadiens signing right wing Alexander Semin to a one-year, $1.1 million contract.

I remember watching the Russian sniper demonstrate exceptional chemistry with one Alex Ovechkin while playing for the Washington Capitals during the 2000s. A natural goal-scorer, he has posted 20 or more goals seven times, and 30 goals or more 3 times (including a 40-goal season in 2009-2010). Ok, so the man can light up the lamp, there’s no doubt about that. And yes, his attitude and overall work ethic have come into question every single day of his career since the first time he set foot on a National Hockey League ice rink back in 2003. But at $1.1 million for a single, make or break type of season for the 31 year-old proven and established scoring veteran? My question to the naysayers is this: why on earth would you be opposed to this signing?

Earlier this week, I had posted an article in French reviewing Bergevin's work over the course of the summer and how I felt that it was far from satisfactory for Habs fans. I mentioned that numerous sizeable right wingers were available at relatively affordable rates, and how it would have been nice to see the likes of Joel Ward, Michael Frolik, Patrick Sharp, or even TJ Oshie provide the Canadiens with some scoring and size on the right side. Little did I know that Alexander Semin would be available, and that teams would show any interest in him at all. In fact, his name completely slipped my mind (and that of countless others, I'm certain), especially after a disastrous 2014-2015 season in which he managed only 6 goals and 19 points in 57 games and was subsequently bought out of his (ridiculous) 5-year, $35 million contract. However, once I heard that the Habs signed him for one year, I have to admit that I was pleased and very accepting of the terms, and that Bergevin pulled off an excellent move.

What can be expected of the enigmatic sniper? Firstly, he needs to consistently play on the first line and the first powerplay unit. There are no two ways about it. This is where he’s excelled over the course of his career, and there’s no reason for him not to be given an honest chance to prove himself. I read many comments from disgruntled fans claiming that he’s not necessarily Michel Therrien’s type of defensively-responsible player and will therefore not fit within the system. The issue with that argument is that Semin is a career +70, and one should recall that he did a lot of the heavy lifting during a time when Ovechkin hardly ever backchecked. I’m not proposing that he will give Tomas Plekanec a run for his money defensively, but that’s an issue that should have never been raised in the first place.

Does this mean that Semin will score 20+ goals this season? It’s hard to say. Conservatively speaking, very little is expected of him, and that sentiment is commonly shared within the mainstream media. However, most would agree that this is a low-risk and potentially high-reward type of deal that could make Marc Bergevin seem like an absolute genius. You’d have to think that he reminded Semin and his agent that at age 31, the Russian sniper still has plenty of gas left in the tank and can earn himself a 3 or 4-year deal after this one expires. Who knows- maybe Semin will excel on a winning team like Montreal, and fill the hole on the right side that has been missing for a few years.

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