Alexander Semin Finally Signs: One Year, Seven Million with Hurricanes

Alexander Semin free agency saga finally ends by signing with the Carolina Hurricanes for one-year, seven million.

Alexander Semin rumors have swirled since his unceremonious exit from the Washington Capitals. The Russian winger is reportedly among the most skilled players in the league, but character issues and inconsistent production drove down Semin’s value this offseason. By outlasting Shea Weber, Ryan Suter, Zach Parise, and all other big-name free agency options, Semin gained leverage as the most talented young skater left on the market at the time of his deal. He still only managed to land a one-year contract with the Carolina Hurricanes after reportedly seeking at least two years.

The Carolina Hurricanes have invested heavily in their team this offseason after missing the playoffs last year by a considerable margin. They paired Eric and Jordan Staal in Carolina red before adding Alexander Semin for more top-line production. A one-year deal should keep the controversial scorer motivated for his next contract, and with cap space to spare the seven million dollars he signed for is particularly reasonable. The signing is a steal for the Hurricanes as they attempt to regain their place in the middle of the Eastern Conference pack.

For Semin, the contract should be a huge disappointment. The one-year deal is a modest increase in salary from his overpriced days with the Washington Capitals, but Alexander Semin wanted a long-term deal. Perhaps this humbling experience will reinvigorate Alexander Semin. Most of the league was reportedly interested in Semin, but none were willing to pay Semin his asking price and offer a second year or more. Semin had tremendous leverage throughout the free agency process. He was able to watch other free agents settle in, holding out for the last moment of desperation in teams seeking offense. Alexander Semin also, at any moment, seemingly could have slipped away to the KHL — a threat that should have helped him ink a more impressive deal. Alexander Semin was reportedly looking for at least two years and upwards of ten million dollars per season; he got just one year and seven.

If Cam Ward is able to piece together an above-average season, the Carolina Hurricanes are starting to assemble a winning team again. While the Hurricanes have some issues with depth, they finally have the dynamic scoring options they lacked during a disastrous campaign in 2011-12. Eric Staal is no longer the only recognizable skater on the roster, which should help him rebound from one of the most disappointing seasons in the NHL last year. The Hurricanes still have plenty of issues to address, but they’re closer to the salary cap floor than the ceiling. They have room to make a big move or fill in the roster with what little quality pieces are left on the market.

Ultimately, the one-year contract should force Alexander Semin to stay focused. He has a chip on his shoulder and stays in the same division as his former team. Alexander Semin has something to prove to the rest of the NHL, and that makes him a very dangerous man on a suddenly dangerous Carolina Hurricanes team.