In the mid-2000s, the Washington Capitals boasted two rising Russian wingers with a knack for scoring goals. Alexander Ovechkin is the one that everyone knows and remembers, especially now that he is the NHL's all-time leader in goals scored. But, at one point, Alexander Semin was also viewed as a future star goalscorer. However, that version of Semin was not the one we witnessed with the Montreal Canadiens.
The start to Semin's NHL career was a little rocky. After his rookie season with the Capitals, Semin had to return to Russia to fulfill his mandatory military service. The only problem was that no one relayed this message to the Capitals. The team entered legal battles to bring Semin back to their roster, and before the 2006-07 season, they got their wish. His first season back in the NHL was electric, as he finished second on the team in goals, behind Ovechkin, with 38, forming a dynamic duo with his fellow Russian sniper.
After returning from Russia, Semin was a goalscoring machine. He hit the 30-goal mark three out of his first four seasons, including a career high 40 goals in the 2009-10 campaign. Semin's goal totals started to decline after that season, scoring 28 in the 2010-11 season, before netting 21 in the following year. He elected to test free agency that offseason and signed with the Carolina Hurricanes. Semin had a resurgence in his first season with the Hurricanes. In only 44 games, due to the 2012-13 NHL lockout, Semin had 13 goals and 44 points, and the Hurricanes rewarded his play by signing him to a five-year, $35 million contract extension.
In memory of Alex Semin, this was still one of the best goals I’ve seen 🔥 pic.twitter.com/db9H60ahip
— Alex Ohári 🔴⚫️ (@FutureCanes) July 1, 2021
Semin's numbers regressed that next season, managing just 42 points in 21 more games played. His play continued to decline in the 2014-15 season, ending with six goals and 19 points, the worst statistical season of his career. With three years left on his contract, the Hurricanes figured the best thing to do for their team was to buy out the remaining years of Semin's contract. After Carolina moved on from Semin, Montreal saw an opportunity and capitalized on it.
The Canadiens were looking to add some offensive firepower and took a chance on Semin, hoping he still had a few goals left in him. Unlike Semin's countryman, Ilya Kovalchuk, his time in Montreal did not go as planned. The excitement of what Semin could be faded quickly during his tenure with the Canadiens. He lasted just 15 games in Montreal, recording one goal and four points before the Canadiens put him on waivers. Semin went unclaimed, but refused to report to the Canadiens' AHL affiliate and instead elected to go home to Russia to continue playing hockey.
Those 15 games with the Canadiens were the last we saw of Semin in the NHL. He spent the next five seasons in Russia before announcing his retirement in 2022. The Canadiens were hoping that Semin could rediscover his scoring touch in Montreal, but instead it turned into an all-time "Wait, Semin played for the Canadiens?" moment.