Jennifer B Cutler Montreal Canadiens Blogger • RSS
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The Montreal Canadiens shocked the hockey world and its fans yesterday when it was announced that General Manager Marc Bergevin had signed Alexander Semin to a 1 year deal worth $1.1 Million. The signing has already divided fans with many taking the approach that this is a low risk / high reward move. Others believe that Semin won’t be able to recapture his goal scoring touch and would rather that the spot be open for a prospect. One thing is for sure, this Canadiens 2015-2016 season just got a whole lot more interesting...
For most of his career, Semin has been a proven goal scorer and a top 6 forward. However, his commitment to playing 200 feet every night has been questioned year after year. No one has ever denied his talent. It’s his desire and hunger that have always left fans and coaches wanting more. And so obviously Semin sounds like a perfect fit with the Canadiens and head coach Michel Therrien, right? The potential of fireworks is almost worth the price of admission. Yet on the other hand, perhaps this is exactly what Semin needs to reboot his NHL career. Captain or no captain, this edition of the Canadiens has an excellent leadership core, full of strong characters. Between the players, coaches and management, accountability on and off the ice is a quality of the utmost importance. On the plus side Semin is not coming to the Canadiens blind, he knows exactly what he is getting into. He knows that this may very well be his last chance. Semin wants to stay and play in the NHL. He is coming in with something to prove. The last time Semin played on a 1 year deal he was clearly motivated, recording 44 points in 44 games during the 2012-2013 lockout shortened season. Perhaps short term deals are the way to go with Semin. Even if he does find success this year with the Canadiens, teams will be reluctant to sign Semin long term based on his past history.
The biggest question, and perhaps the one that is the most fun, is where does Semin fit in on the Canadiens top 6? The line combinations and possibilities are endless and Semin was not brought in to play on the 3rd line. Much will also depends on whether or not Alex Galchenyuk plays Center or Wing. As well though Semin shoots right, he has the ability to play either side of the wing.
A balanced somewhat traditional Therrien lineup could be:
While some may see the Semin signing as taking away an opportunity from one of the prospects/rookies, Bergevin has shown that he will make room for the young players if they prove worthy of a spot. Prospects such as Scherbak, Hudon, Carr, McCarron and Andrighetto should not be discouraged by any means.
Another implication of the Semin signing is that we’ll almost assuredly see a 3rd line of:
DSP-Eller-Kassian
With Semin signed, the last order of business for Marc Bergevin this Summer is to sign Alex Galchenyuk. The good news for fans is that Galchenyuk is now in Montreal and he was seen participating in the Habs hockey school. If there were hard feelings between his camp and the Canadiens Galchenyuk would be staying away from Montreal. I would expect for him to be signed within a week’s time.
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