On Semin on Crosby

by James Mirtle on Nov 1, 2008 9:18 PM CDT Comment 32 comments

It was nice to hear Don Cherry offer a defence of Sidney Crosby tonight on Hockey Night in Canada after the nonsense that the Capitals' Alexander Semin spouted a few days ago.

It was rather amazing, actually, to see just how widely circulated the Puck Daddy interview was with very, very little in the way of criticism going Semin's way.

Here's what he said:

What's so special about [Crosby]? I don't see anything special there. Yes, he does skate well, has a good head, good pass. But there's nothing else. Even if you compare him to Patrick Kane from Chicago ... [Kane] is a much more interesting player. The way he moves, his deking abilities, his thinking on the ice and his anticipation of the play is so superb.

Since when is a player's value determined by "the way he moves?"

Here's a good comparison based on the counting numbers: Semin's three and a half years older than Crosby, has played 23 fewer NHL games, scored 20 fewer goals, 136 fewer assists and 156 fewer points. Semin was minus-18 in 63 games last season, still gets somewhat sheltered against top opposition and while he's had a terrific start to the season offensively, he's still getting lit up by the opposition.

Not to mention Crosby's Art Ross, Lester B. Pearson and Hart trophies, and an absolutely incredible performance during last year's postseason run to the finals.

And as far as I'm concerned, Crosby has one more thing Semin has yet to get a handle on.

Class.

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Semin on Crosby

Not sure why he needed to say what he did but I like the word dignity better than class. It takes a person who respects themselves and others to act with dignity. This shows me Me Semin looks and likes himself too much when he walks by themirror
Narcissim anyone? Sorry Mr Semin in or out of context your comments ring hollow. Lets see your talking on the ice more and less about your limited hockey ananysis of a very good player and a better sport than you will ever be.

by powerplay on Nov 1, 2008 9:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

crosby > semin

spot on. Crosby never trashes anyone else in the league.

by btumpak on Nov 1, 2008 10:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Semin on Crosby

Semin does deserve some criticism. Reading the full interview, it’s interesting how he takes a question that concerns Crosby, Malkin, Ovechkin, and Semin and answers with a mini-diatribe about Crosby. He deliberately chose to deliver a gratuitous shot—I wonder why. A little jealous, perhaps?

I also love (in the part that wasn’t quoted) when he talks almost dismissively about 100-point scorers. Does he realize that there were only two in the league last year? Neither was named Semin, of course. Maybe this year Semin can hit 80 points for the first time. And even though no one thinks of Crosby as a goal-scorer, his single-season high goal total is still more than Semin’s career-best year (okay, only by one, but still).

I’ve always thought Semin was immensely skilled—up there with the best players in the league. If he ever really cared enough and toughened up a bit, he could be in that group. If this interview is a sign that he’s had a change of attitude, maybe that’s a good sign for the Caps, after all.

by Slipstream on Nov 1, 2008 10:44 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Semin

I thought Semin was a pretty good player. Unfortunate name, but a decent player. Too bad he isn’t a good interview.

What is it with the Caps? Between Ovechkin running Malkin, and this Semin interview, I am thinking they should play more hockey and win more games, and less of this sort of stuff.

by oldnumberseven on Nov 2, 2008 12:50 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I don’t get it – why are you comparing Semin to Crosby? Where did Semin say or imply that he was better than Sid? If only those who are actually better than the subjects of their criticism are allowed to discuss those players’ shortcomings, 99% of the hockey pundits out there will be out of work.

by J.P. on Nov 2, 2008 8:08 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Good point, JP. Where’s the Iginla-Avery career comparison from when Avery mentioned Iggy?

http://battleofcalifornia.blogspot.com/

by Earl Sleek on Nov 2, 2008 8:17 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The difference? Avery wasn’t saying Iginla’s not a good player on the ice.

by James Mirtle on Nov 2, 2008 11:38 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Semin pretty clearly says that any player could be a star if he was promoted enough, and also “put… in front of the net and let him deflect pucks in, and he scored 50 goals”. It sounds an awful lot like not only is Kane better than Crosby, but even Semin or a guy like Chris Clark could be if they were given the same opportunity as Sid.

I think it’s funny. I think Semin is one of those guys who’s so talented that he doesn’t understand how difficult the game is. Either that, or he’s a wonderful trash-talker having a great time in the interview.

I've been looking at the sky

by Back In Black on Nov 2, 2008 8:43 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, I agree that there was some real silliness in Semin’s quotes, especially the “I think that if you take any player, even if he is "dead wood,” and start promoting him, you’ll get a star" line and the one you noted.

But I also think that James comparing Sid’s numbers to Semin’s is absolutely irrelevant here, and would have loved to have seen him tackle the actual comparison Semin was making – between Crosby and Kane – to refute the actual point Semin was making.

by J.P. on Nov 2, 2008 9:39 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The point he’s making is that Crosby’s not very good. Which is asinine.

by James Mirtle on Nov 2, 2008 11:39 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed, but so is an irrelevant comparison.

Look, we get it – a Russian claims an American is better than a Canadian, so it’s tailor-made for a backlash from up North. But let’s focus on the claim, not extraneous stuff.

Alex Semin claimed that Crosby is nothing special, which is stupid because Crosby is something special. It is not, however, stupid because Crosby is better than Alex Semin.

by J.P. on Nov 2, 2008 12:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It’s stupid for a lot of reasons.

by James Mirtle on Nov 2, 2008 12:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Don Cherry being a xenophobe doesn’t mean the rest of us are. Believe it or not, some people are not upset about Semin’s quote because he’s Russian and Crosby is Canadian. They’re upset because the quote does a discredit to one of the most gifted players in the league by suggesting he’s nothing but a lot of hype. If a young, talented Canadian said that about Ovechkin I’d think it was just as stupid.

by Heather B. on Nov 2, 2008 12:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Alex Semin claimed that Crosby is nothing special, which is stupid because Crosby is something special. It is not, however, stupid because Crosby is better than Alex Semin.

As long as we’re all in agreement that Alexander Semin is stupid, I think this case is closed. The rest is just semantics.

by Heather B. on Nov 2, 2008 1:10 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Semin’s a hockey pundit now?

If he’s not better than Crosby, then why is he criticizing him? How on earth does that make any sense?

by James Mirtle on Nov 2, 2008 11:37 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

So the only people allowed to voice a critical opinion are those who can do better. Got it. That bodes well for the blogosphere.

by J.P. on Nov 2, 2008 12:27 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Semin’s role is to play hockey, not evaluate the rest of the league. If he moves into colour commentary, bring it on.

In my opinion, it doesn’t show a lot of class to try and belittle Crosby’s accomplishments and make them out to be some sort of marketing ploy by the league. I realize Semin’s dealing with some language barrier elements here, but if he’d said “Crosby’s not as interesting” then fine.

If he’s “not special” then why does he outperform him in so many aspects of the game? Seems like a fair question, no?

by James Mirtle on Nov 2, 2008 12:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

James, I couldn’t get past the first two sentences in your response to J.P.’s comment.

It’s absolutely Semin’s right to have an opinion on the league and it’s players. It’s also his right to express those opinions, be he media or not. To think elsewise is flat-out elitist and rings of entitlement.

This is clearly and emotional issue for the Canadian media, who’s response has been eerily similar to the famous “Leave Brittany Alone!” clip. The fact that someone who is in a position not only to watch but play against Crosby and doesn’t deify him has clearly drained a lot of rational thinking out of some very good pundits.

It’s one thing to say that you don’t agree with Semin’s opinions (and yeah, we got that you don’t agree with his opinions), quite another to say he shouldn’t express those opinions at all because, well, he’s not like you, James.

Because that’s exactly what those first two sentences say. If that is an accurate representation of your feelings on the matter, well, you’ve lost a reader and a great deal of my respect.

by EmptyMaybe on Nov 3, 2008 8:18 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The difference between Semin and myself is that Crosby is one of his peers.

by James Mirtle on Nov 3, 2008 11:13 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Does that standard apply

…whenever players (like a Martin Brodeur) criticize Sean Avery and his antics?

Or would that be a forgivable instance of punditry from a hockey player?

by Langway on Nov 3, 2008 3:35 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Actually, I need to apologize for the absurdly pompous ending to my message. I have no particular high moral ground to stand on relative to anyone else, and it’s more than a bit sanctimonious of me to act otherwise.

I still disagree with your point, but I could have communicated that more effectively and less jack-assedly

by EmptyMaybe on Nov 3, 2008 4:07 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

No, the “standard still applies”. If Marty wants to claim he’s a better hockey player than Sean Avery, he’d better be prepared to back that up on the ice.

Geez.

I've been looking at the sky

by Back In Black on Nov 3, 2008 4:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe he’s tired of Americans making fun of his last name…

Honk if you love Justice!
"I'm betting that I'm just abnormal enough to survive. "

by TheTick on Nov 2, 2008 9:18 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Or of snickering at the headline to this post.

Go Avs! Let's get some goals!

by Joe Dunman on Nov 3, 2008 12:49 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

God forbid a player has something candid to say, especially about someone who performs at a higher level than him. That’s a definite no-no because what we really want is more canned interviews from players who aren’t Crosby, Ovechkin, Iginla, etc. Semin was provocative but classless? Maybe less media savvy but reactions like this send a message to the rest of the players to keep their mouths shut which is too bad for hockey.

by LMP on Nov 2, 2008 10:24 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Maybe now would be a good time to remind Caps players, fans and bloggers that blowing out Sid’s candle isn’t going to make theirs (or Semin’s) any brighter.

by Interchangeable Parts on Nov 2, 2008 12:24 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Semin stain

That one interview was provided a week of talking points for bloggers, radioheads, fishwrappers, and TV pundits. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.
Agree with Semin or not, what he said was thought-provoking.
I will sit by my computer waiting for someone to post something – anything – interesting that’s ever been said by Crosby. As great a player as he is, he’s as boring as Gretzky when facing a microphone.
More interviews with Semin, please.

by Dr Van Nostrum on Nov 2, 2008 1:10 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

That interview came out two days ago :-)

by James Mirtle on Nov 2, 2008 1:23 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Typical Overreaction By "Pundits" particularly Canadian Pundits...

Personnaly I read the interview and thought “Alexander could have said that better, or he’s just trash talking” either way all this reaction is stupid to me. I read the comment to mean something I’ve said over and over myself for sometime – Nobody can be as good as Bettman’s media machine hype of either Ovechkin (who as a Caps STH I love to watch every chance I get) or Crosby who is indeed a great playmaker. Also, there are about 20 players I’d put in both their class and that does indeed include Semin, Malkin, Iggy, Thorton, Kane, Luongo, Price, Zetterberg, Datsuyk, Khabibuhlen, Jagr (as a Caps fan that one hurt), Richards, Kovalchuk, Saint Louis (another hard one for a Caps fan), LeCavilier, Federov, Nash, Briere (really hurt), Gomez, Lundqvist, Brodeur, Drury, and several others. To me the point is – promote the sport and the faces of the game will be selected by the fans. For example, Tom Brady wasn’t made by the NFL media machine, fans and his skill and accomplishments put his face places, Brett Farve, ditto..and things go on. The last thing Crosby needs is more media, new or otherwise taking up his cause. The game of hockey needs folks to understand just how many great players are out there.

by markbona-capsfan99 on Nov 2, 2008 5:05 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I don’t understand what all of the hoopla is over this, and that’s coming from a Pens fan. I’m sure Semin didn’t say more than these guys say to each other on the ice or in the locker room. Semin was just unfortunate enough to say it to one of the more revered hockey bloggers on the Net.

Frankly I’m just mad they didn’t give Greg the props he deserves and instead just referenced “Yahoo.”

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com

by FrankD on Nov 2, 2008 9:40 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

good interview

First off, whenever there is a translation involved one can’t assume that the verbage used was 100% accurate.

But even if it was, good for Semin for speaking his mind. I don’t agree with what he said, but I do think he has a right to say it and it was interesting to me to hear his point of view.

I wonder how many other players out there have less than sterling opinions about Crosby, but are too chicken or “classy” to say anything?

by Robert McGee on Nov 3, 2008 11:38 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I’m sure Crosby is special in many ways, in the sense that he’s accomplished what few (if any) players have accomplished. So Semin is definitely wrong. But then, it’s also fair to say he’s not as exciting to watch as some (despite a small number) other players, because it’s just exciting to see a player beat another player one-on-one with nifty moves, an area where Crosby isn’t a top player in this league. In the end, only goals count in a hockey game and Crosby just dominates with his great stats.

by SJKel on Nov 3, 2008 6:24 PM CST reply actions 0 recs