Carolina Hurricanes Morning News: Alexander Semin, Pavel Zacha, and the Pittsburgh Penguins
By Brett Finger
Former Carolina Hurricanes winger Alexander Semin will look to make an impact with his new team, the Montreal Canadiens, this season, but head coach Michel Therrien says it will be a challenge for the Habs.
More From Cardiac Cane – Just How Good is Canes D-Man Justin Faulk?
Also, the New Jersey Devils inked their 2015 first round draft pick to a three-year entry level deal just days before the deadline, and the Pittsburgh Penguins will be a force to re reckoned with this season now that they are healthy.
Let’s take a look at today’s news.
Hurricanes Links
- The Carolina Hurricanes have a lot of question marks entering the 2015-2016 season. Yesterday we discussed which players have the most to prove this year. (Cardiac Cane)
- Matt Karash gave his thoughts on Sebastian Aho, Brock McGinn, Andrej Nestrasil, Elias Lindholm, and Chris Terry. (Canes and Coffee)
- Travis Yost of TSN discussed why everyone around the league should keep an eye on the Carolina Hurricanes. (TSN)
Alexander Semin is a “Nice Challenge” – NHL.com
The Montreal Canadiens made a splash earlier in the offseason when they signed former Carolina Hurricanes winger Alexander Semin, a player coming off of a massive buy out.
This signing was odd in the sense that Semin was bought out due to lack of work ethic, and Habs head coach Michel Therrien is known for demanding a lot out of his players in regards to effort.
Despite this, Therrien anticipates that this will be a good challenge for the team, the coaching staff, and for Semin.
"“It’s a nice challenge, that’s how I look at it,” Therrien said. “He’s a guy that’s full of potential, and there’s an opportunity for him to get back to where we think he can be as a player, and where I imagine he also thinks he can be as a player. We’re going to give him an opportunity, and it’s the type of player we were missing when you looked at our team. He’s a guy who can score, who can make plays and who’s shown in the past that he can contribute to the success of a team offensively. But as far as I’m concerned, I see it as a challenge.”"
Alexander Semin, 31, has undeniable talent, and he has shown year after year that he has the ability to score almost at will, but the “at will” part has been an issue for him at several points of his career.
Semin headlines the list of new players set to join the Canadiens this season, and he will have very high expectations from the fans and the media in Montreal.
This will be an interesting story to follow all season, or at least how ever long the Russian veteran is with the club.
New Jersey Devils Sign Their Top Prospect – Devils.NHL.com
The New Jersey Devils have finally signed their top forward prospect and 2015 6th overall draft pick Pavel Zacha to a three-year entry level contract on Tuesday.
The 18-year-old Czech will carry an AAV of $925,000 at the NHL level, which does not include bonuses.
Zacha spent last season with the Sarnia Sting of the Ontario Hockey League, scoring 34 points in 55 games. If he does not make the Devils out of training camp, he will likely return to Sarnia this season.
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This is a big deal for the Devils and Zacha. They had until August 15 to make this deal happen, and if they didn’t meet the deadline, Zach couldn’t play in the NHL at all in the upcoming season.
"“It’s my goal for this season to play in the NHL, and now I just have to show everyone I can make the team and I’ll do everything for that [chance],” Zacha said. “Camp is coming up [in September] and I am going there and I am going to get ready now for it. I’ve never been in a full camp of the NHL before; I was just at Devils [development] camp [in July].”"
Zacha expects to make a push at making the team in New Jersey, a squad that doesn’t bolster much talent up front.
Pittsburgh Penguins are Healthy and Ready – NHL.com
Kris Letang and Pascal Dupuis both missed much of last season with serious medical issues, and that hurt the Pens big time, but they say they are both at 100% and ready to compete for a Stanley Cup this season.
"“I’m in great shape,” Letang said at a charity golf tournament. “I got on the ice last week, so I’m following the same program I follow every summer. There was no delay in that sense. I’d say it’s been one of my best summers in terms of training and how I feel.”"
Pascal Dupuis’ absence really showed on the Pens’ record with him out of the lineup. Before being diagnosed with blood clots, the club was 12-3-1, after his leave, the Pens posted a record of 31-24-11.
With the addition of players like Phil Kessel, Eric Fehr, Matt Cullen, and Nick Bonino, the Pens are stacked at the forward positions with incredible depth everywhere, and of course at the top of the lineup you have Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, two of the top-5 players in the entire league.
Another awesome thing about Pascal Dupuis’ journey back to the ice is him being a good icon for his children, showing them what it looks like to be passionate about something and work hard to achieve a goal.
"“I get that part too, but I want them to see it (pay off),” he said. “I want them to enjoy a nice playoff run, a nice Cup run with me.”"
The Pittsburgh Penguins have a bunch of great character guys, and Dupuis leads the way there. The 36-year-old forward looks to contribute to his team and help them win another cup in 2016.