I told you so... :-)

  Here's my comment about Semin dated September 13, 2008 regarding Ovechkin-Crosby rivalry:

"I think Malkin can steal the show, he needs to be included in the mix. And Caps have their own Malkin, his name is Alex Semin. Watch out, this kid will have a breakthru season. His contract is about to expire and he wants to prove that he is no worse if not better than Ovechkin."

Now comes my gloating moment "I told you so" :-) Right now Alex Semin shares the first place in the NHL with Evgeny Malkin in points, and is third in goals scored. I was a bit mad at Semin that he didn't show much in exhibition games, but that's why they are exhibition games. Ovechkin scored a lot back then, but now he struggles.

Speaking about it, the theory that Ovechkin's Grandpa's illness could affect his game... I think it is very close to truth. Alex Ovechkin once answered the question about the happiness and the money and he said that happiness is when everybody in your family is doing well, money is just not thinking how much you'll pay when you go to the restaurant. Obviously if you feel depressed it can affect your game. My best wishes to Ovechkin's Grandpa and the family.



With Ovechkin out due to family illness all attention is on Alex Semin.


Here's the video interview from capitals.nhl.com, in the first half Semin answers questions through Slava Malamud, who once called Semin 'The Wild Siberian'. But it didn't make Semin angry, Slava Malamud claims Semin never refused an interview to him.

It is clear that Semin understands the questions in English, but still answers in Russian... More important that he doesn't answer in Russian to his teammates. Like Mark Crawford once said, "We speak English and profanity", and Semin learned the second language well enough because when he talks to opposite team players you can see they have no problems understanding him. :-)