Panthers Acquire Alexei Semenov

[Humpzilla]

SUNRISE, FL - Florida Panthers General Manger Mike Keenan announced today that the club has acquired D Alexei Semenov (she-MEH-nahv) from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for a conditional draft pick in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.

“With the injury to Branislav Mezei we felt it was important to have a full complement of defensemen available to our coaching staff. Alexei is a talented young defenseman who fits our team’s needs,” said Keenan. “He is a competitive and tough player who skates well and will bring an added dimension to our defense.”

Semenov, 24, has appeared in 11 games with the Edmonton Oilers this season recording one goal and one assist with 17 PIM. For his National Hockey League career, the 6-foot-6, 235-pound defenseman has played in 103 games registering 14 points (4-10-14) and 107 penalty minutes. The Murmansk, Russia native was drafted by Edmonton with their second choice (36th overall) in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft.

[stevecanuck16]

Damn! Even less ice time for Eric Cairns!

[cottonzway]

I am very shocked to see this move. Why did the Oilers give up on him? I wouldn't give up on a guy that is that big who can skate a little and even plays the body. They just gave him away. WTF!?

[FurnaceFace]

I like this guy, in the future i think he develope into a starting defenceman. He dropp the gloves too. Hopefully they wont sit cairns alot and bump someone else, because you need that toughness in the line up. Or atleast trade him for someone else. There is alot of teams im sure that would love to have his services.. so you probably could something of value in return. Presonally I'd keep Cairns avalible. Alex semenov probably work his way into the top 4.

[stevecanuck16]

I always thought this guy was a bit of a goof. Always fights smaller guys and ties them up. Doesn't really bring much to the table in terms of playing either, pretty much a generic 6th Defenseman.

[Ciccarelli]

Originally Posted by cottonzway

I am very shocked to see this move. Why did the Oilers give up on him? I wouldn't give up on a guy that is that big who can skate a little and even plays the body. They just gave him away. WTF!?

Right now they prefer Cory Cross, and they probably think Danny Syvret and/or Matt Greene are ready and should get some ice-time.

[PinoyRon51]

Cairns was playing wing mostly when Mezei was playing. So now that Semenov is here, he'll probably split D-duties with Kwiatkowski and double as a winger.

[Juice]

Originally Posted by cottonzway

I am very shocked to see this move. Why did the Oilers give up on him? I wouldn't give up on a guy that is that big who can skate a little and even plays the body. They just gave him away. WTF!?

He has been a big disapointment and with Ulanov back we had to make room in the line up and with Dan Smith and Syvret doing so well. He was the logical choice i would look for Cory Cross to go next.

[BM24]

Originally Posted by stevecanuck16

Doesn't really bring much to the table in terms of playing either, pretty much a generic 6th Defenseman.

I agree with that. His skills to me just seem like another average hockey player, because he is 6'6 and still relatively young he has some interest. But that will fade over time IMO.

[Kaikkonen]

Originally Posted by stevecanuck16

Damn! Even less ice time for Eric Cairns!

I was thinking exactly the same thing !

[bengino]

i saw him play with the Sudbury Wolves here, and he was tremendous and could change the flow of a game with a sudden end to end rush.

I believe he'll be a force to reckon with once his game catches up with his size.