The Carolina Hurricanes took a tremendous risk on Alexander Semin last July.
Nine games into the 2013 NHL season, that risk is paying dividends in every zone of the ice.
Semin, who was handed a one-year, $7 million contract by GM Jim Rutherford despite harsh assessments from the mainstream media, has developed into a well-rounded team player in Raleigh.
The 28-year-old Russian is putting up solid numbers in the box score—he has two goals and seven points to date—but Semin's true impact has not yet been recorded by statistics alone. Defensively, the oft-criticized winger has made plays at just the right time, saving several sure-fire goals and creating countless counter attacks off of some slick steals.
He's almost single-handedly transformed the Hurricanes' first line, along with Jiri Tlusty and Eric Staal, into one of the league's most dangerous units—and improved Carolina's play in their own end, as well.
Perhaps the change of scenery is the cause of Semin's resurgence.
But perhaps it's not.
Perhaps these skills were there all along. Perhaps all he needed was a little more mo ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Mark Jones
Carolina Hurricanes’ Alexander Semin Blossoming into Two-Way NHL Star (Videos)
February 8th, 2013 by Mark Jones Leave a reply »
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