27 replies to this topic

[FireRunner]

No one doubts his skill, just his heart and desire to play up to his ability on a consistent basis. And that is not just my opinion.......there is a reason he only got a one year deal. When you combine that with all the stupid penalties he took (how many penalties can you take in the offensive zone?), you have to give up on him at some point.

Would have been niced to have traded him last year, when he was on one of his streaks.

I think Semin just liked the seat cushion in the penalty box better. 496 PIM over seven years don't lie!

[PBondra12]

I dislike the lack of action to sign him on our part and the loss of Sasha. His talents will be missed. Thanks GMGM!

[CapsBeasts]

Who wouldn't get frustrated when GMGM and coaches hooked him up with only no-talent centers like Laich, Perroult (I like MP but he's not Backstrom)... You would loose the excitement of playing when only playing with these type of players who don't have the skills Semin has.

[Gee]

I was a big fan of Semin because of his mad skills. I was not a fan of his complacency and lack of consistency. I really dislike him because he put the Caps in this situation. They were one game from being in the Stanley Cup finals and yet the Caps felt it was better to let someone with his skills go. We can argue whether the Caps should have let him walk without replacing him with a top notch free agent. But if he had played with more desire and heart we wouldn't need that debate, he would still be here with a longer term deal. That is on him. I will never forgive him for that.

[FireRunner]

Who wouldn't get frustrated when GMGM and coaches hooked him up with only no-talent centers like Laich, Perroult (I like MP but he's not Backstrom)... You would loose the excitement of playing when only playing with these type of players who don't have the skills Semin has.

Sorry, but you have to be smoking something expired if you think Laich isn't talented. He is the core of that team. Ask the players. Just because you don't see him scoring every night does not mean he's not one of the most productive players. I'm not sure what you're watching, but Laich is one of the hardest working hockey players in the NHL. And probably the hardest working one on the Washington Capitals. He's been running the drills and leading practices for years already.

Not only that but he's able to play center, wing and defense. Yeah...he's worthless alright

I was a big fan of Semin because of his mad skills. I was not a fan of his complacency and lack of consistency. I really dislike him because he put the Caps in this situation. They were one game from being in the Stanley Cup finals and yet the Caps felt it was better to let someone with his skills go. We can argue whether the Caps should have let him walk without replacing him with a top notch free agent. But if he had played with more desire and heart we wouldn't need that debate, he would still be here with a longer term deal. That is on him. I will never forgive him for that.

I agree Semin has dug his own grave. He has tremendous talent and potential, but he lacks heart and determination. If he played to his potential he would have a 10 year contract.

[stealyerfaceoff]

I'm sad to see Sasha go to a division rival, I'm glad to see Sasha go to a division rival. It's the exact same ambivalence he has always inspired in me. But now the Caps need a new bongo player....

[Great-White]

Thank you Semin for all the goals you scored,thanks for the excitement you brought and most of all the times your lazy jackwagon was called 4 a tripping pim.

[TheGoal]

Thanks! Hopefully he's gonna be on the roster of NHL13 so I can trade him and get a good player XD

[4capitals]

Sorry, but you have to be smoking something expired if you think Laich isn't talented. He is the core of that team. Ask the players. Just because you don't see him scoring every night does not mean he's not one of the most productive players. I'm not sure what you're watching, but Laich is one of the hardest working hockey players in the NHL. And probably the hardest working one on the Washington Capitals. He's been running the drills and leading practices for years already.

Not only that but he's able to play center, wing and defense. Yeah...he's worthless alright

You are confusing "talent" with hardworking and versatile. Noone questions that Laich is an important player for the Caps and may well be the hardest working player and most versatille. However, he is not the most talented, far from it. He is not a true second line center IMO and he was not a good fit with Semin. Perrault was a much better fit with Semin, in fact, the Chimera, Perrault, Semin line produced more goals than any other Cap line combination last season. Again, I am not discounting Laich's value to the team but I don't think he is a true 2nd line player.