Canes Load Up with Semin, Hope to Help Staal Brothers

Controversial winger Alexander Semin agreed to a one year, $7 million contract with the Carolina Hurricanes, proving few players want to come to Russia.

“It’s good for both sides,” Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford said. “Semin has one year to show the league he can put it in and if it doesn’t work, we don’t have to deal with a big, sticky long-term mess.”

Rutherford also believes the talented Russian will benefit from playing with Hurricanes’ captain Eric Staal and his brother, Jordan, who recently signed with the team after six seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

“Eric will obviously be in the middle as that’s where he’s most comfortable,” Rutherford said. “And we know Jordan also likes the middle, but we’re hoping he takes one for the team and switches positions so he and Eric can benefit from Semin’s shooting.”

Rutherford added: “I really believe a Staal-Semin line can result in a lot of happy endings for us.”

When asked why he turned down the reported offers from KHL teams, Semin responded: “I thought about it. But to be honest, they make fun of my name too much over there.”