Alexander Semin

Semin was once again a disappointment to fantasy owners last season, recording just 42 points in 65 games, his lowest level of output since his 2007-08 campaign with Washington. It's important to note that injuries have always been a factor for the otherwise talented Russian, and he has never played a full season since breaking into the league back in 2003-04. Assuming he starts the season in full health (he underwent wrist surgery at the end of last season), Semin should be ready to reprise his role as top-line right winger for the ‘Canes, likely alongside Eric Staal and either Jiri Tlusty or Jeff Skinner. The bottom line? Semin still has point-per-game potential, however, a relatively weak supporting cast plus the potential for injury tends to limit his upside. Draft with caution.

With 44 points in 44 games during last season's lockout-shortened NHL campaign, Semin returned to being a point-per-game player for the first time since 2009-10 when he was playing alongside Alexander Ovechkin in Washington. In his first full season in Carolina, he proved to be a good fit with the Canes, lining up on the team's top line alongside Eric Staal and Jiri Tlusty. One word of caution - Semin did miss the last two games of the regular season with a concussion. However, assuming a return to full health over the summer, expect him to produce similar levels of output this upcoming season.

One of the league's most complex enigmas, Alexander Semin will no longer be Washington's headache, as the immensely skilled and occasionally flighty winger heads south to divisional rival Carolina after inking a one-year, seven million contract with the Hurricanes in July. Semin disappointed owners often last season, as his 21 goals were the lowest of his career since his rookie season in 2003-04. It's not that his numbers were down, it's that he disappeared for several games at a time. Semin has produced two point-per-game or better seasons in his career, only to follow up the last one with back-to-back 54-point campaigns. (It's worth noting that in his 54-point season in 2010-11, he played 12 fewer games than last year). The smart money has him playing alongside one of the Staal brothers where 30 goals and 70 points certainly are not out of the question, but is still questionable given Semin's tendencies. One certainty is that Semin will play well in the six games Carolina plays against Washington. Draft Semin accordingly, just know what you're getting into.

Semin was re-signed to a one-year deal and also has been in the news of trade talks. It does not seem like the 27-year-old will be headed anywhere, however, and for fantasy players this is good news. He has been one of the most productive players over the past few years, but has not performed all that well when the money is on the line for postseason poolies. He seems to always miss some time due to injury, so when looking into his services keep that in mind. As this season approaches look for him to rebound as he sorts out the bumps from last season, as he posted his third lowest point total since coming into the league. You can expect about 70 points, 60 PIMs, 20 power-play points, and 200-plus shots.

Overall, Semin played great hockey in 2009-10, averaging 1.15 points over 73 games. But to the demise of fantasy players in postseason pools, Semin failed to cap off the playoffs with comparable stardom, as the 26-year-old managed just two points in the quarterfinal round against Montreal. It will be interesting to see if he plays with a chip on his shoulder in 2010-11 to fend off the doubters. Either way, he remains a terrific option because of the talent around him, but he's missed an average of 16 games for the Caps over the last three seasons due to various injuries, which should keep him from being priced as an elite winger on draft day.

Semin started 2008-09 on fire until an injury held him out. That did not stop him from coming back and seeming not to miss a beat posting 79 points (34G, 45A) in 62 games. In one less game than 2007-08 he posted 37 more points and his plus/minus differential was 43 ending the year at plus- 25. He continues to excel on the power play as well and should be part of the top unit again, ending last year with 30 points, adding ten more points to the 2007-08 campaign. Depending on line pairings you may see the three top young guns together on the top line; Ovechkin, Backstrom, and Semin. His postseason numbers consisted of five goals and nine assists, but added 16 minutes in the penalty box. If he can remain healthy all season he could very well put up close to 100 points.

Semin has been a vital part in the re-building process in Washington and has not disappointed. He has been dominant on the power play, finishing with 20 points last season and 17 in 2006-07. He could very well put up better numbers this year, considering both his young teammates and himself will have another year of experience together. He should continue to play on the second line, but it is not set as to who will be his center. Whoever it may be he will continue to produce. Last season he was haggard by a few injuries, but in the 63 games he played, Semin finished with 42 points (26 goals and 16 assists). You can say it was somewhat of a down year compared to his 73 point performance last season, but you must take those nagging injuries into consideration. There is no doubt that he has the skills and supporting cast to put up a 70 plus point season, barring any more lingering injuries.

Semin tallied 38 goals and 35 assists last season skating next to little more than a bag of pucks; Washington’s highest-scoring second-line center, Kris Beech, only compiled 26 points in 64 games. True, Semin did score 38 of his points on the power play next to Alexander Ovechkin and Dainius Zubrus -- including 17 goals -- and spent some time on the first line, but this year he is expected to skate alongside phenom Nicklas Backstrom, the fourth-overall pick in 2006 who led his Swedish Elite League team in scoring last season at the tender age of 19. Be wary, however, as Semin isn’t considered particularly strong in his own end, and skating alongside a newcomer to the North American game -- as well as a right winger who is yet to be determined -- could lead to a decrease in rating. But Backstrom, the normal development curve, and a healthy dose of power play time alongside Ovechkin and Michael Nylander should help Semin improve upon his stats from last year.

Last year was a puzzling one for the 2002 first-round pick. Expected to be an integral part of the team's rebuilding process, Semin failed to report, claiming that he had to fulfill his Russian army obligation. After some legal wrangling, Semin eventually agreed to come back to the States, signing a new two-year contract. He's extremely talented -- Semin was the highest-paid player on his Russian team last season -- but his dedication and willingness to work with the coaching staff has been questioned in the past. There have been rumblings that he might skate on the same line as Ovechkin, but that's unlikely as they are both left-wingers and the Caps are looking for scoring options on their second line. Semin is unlikely to be given much consideration in your league, but he has the skill and the opportunity to make an impact on the scoresheet this season.

While Semin was at odds with the Capitals and was even suspended for staying in Russia to play during the lockout instead of reporting to the team's AHL affiliate, he still is a large part of the team's plans this season. Supremely talented but frustrating to coach, Semin followed up a 10-goal in 56-game performance as a rookie in 2003-04 with 19 goals and 11 assists in 50 games for Lada of the Russian Super League in 2004-05. If he shows up ready to play in training camp, Semin should earn a spot on the Caps' second line and could see an increase in points as he matures in 2005-06.