Capitals stir pot ahead of showdown with 'Canes

Carolina Hurricanes left wing Alexander Semin (28) during the Hurricanes vs Winnipeg Jets game on February 21, 2013 in Raleigh North Carolina. (Photos By Anthony Barham)

By Derek Medlin
Feb 26, 2013

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Compared to other professional sports, where athletes don’t hesitate to air grievances through the media or call teammates out on Twitter, hockey is a bit of an outlier.

Most players and teams go about their business in between games and handle any smoldering beef on the ice.

Based on the comments he made about Hurricanes forward Alexander Semin Monday morning, it appears Washington Capitals right wing Troy Brouwer did not get the memo.

“All in all, I think we’ve been doing well without him…some nights you didn’t know if he was going to come to the rink,” Brouwer, a teammate of Semin’s last season, said. “It’s tough to play alongside guys like those, because you don’t know what you’re going to get out of ‘em.” More Info Carolina Hurricanes schedule

Based on 2013 results, perhaps the Caps – who are currently at the bottom of the Southeast Division with 13 points – could use Semin’s production. His 14 points (4G, 10A) would put him in a tie for second on Washington’s roster behind Mike Ribeiro.

The reputation Semin earned in seven seasons with the Caps isn’t going away, based on Brouwer’s comments, but in 17 games with Carolina (9-7-1) Semin has been far from enigmatic.

He’s been a team-first playmaker on the top line with Eric Staal and Jiri Tlusty, the player responsible for dozens of scoring chances and one behind-the-back, between-the-legs pass that still has people shaking their heads.

Nearing the halfway point of his one-year contract with the Hurricanes, Semin has shown he’d be worth a long-term extension.

Tuesday’s matchup with the Capitals (6-10-1) was going to be exciting, regardless, given Semin’s history with the city and the team, but Brouwer’s comments took things up a notch or two. It’s a good thing, too, since Semin has such a motivation issue.

Lineup changes continue

On the ice, two new faces (sort of) will join Semin and Co. for the first of three games in the next six days.
The ‘Canes announced Monday that forward Zac Dalpe and defenseman Marc-Andre Gragnani were recalled from the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers and returned Andreas Nodl and Mikal Jordan.

Dalpe returns to the Hurricanes after spending three weeks with the Checkers. He tallied eight points (5G, 3A) during that time, including a four-point night Feb. 22 against the Abbotsford Heat.

Gragnani, who was recalled by the Canes for the first time, has been on a tear recently as well, tallying points in four of Charlotte’s last five games. He has played in 73 NHL games with the Buffalo Sabres and Vancouver Canucks.

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RE: Capitals stir pot ahead of showdown with 'Canes

Thanks for the recycled (yet watered down) version of the same story as yesterday.
- Posted by Capitals Fan

It won't seem so watered down after the Canes send the Capitals to the locker room with the sticks between their legs.

GO CANES!!
- Posted by 75Tarheel

you were saying?

RE: Capitals stir pot ahead of showdown with 'Canes

LOLOLOLOL! Couldn't help it! I am going to be reprimanded. Sorry WRAL, I won't do it again....could not resist
- Posted by edits

What did you say? I didn't see anything out of line. Hey, if you did say something, I'm sure it was warranted:)

RE: Capitals stir pot ahead of showdown with 'Canes

The Caps just gave the Canes some good bulletin board material. Semin has been a good teammate from day one. He obviously wasn't happy with the Caps. I hope he makes it personal tonight and gives the Caps his best effort.

RE: Capitals stir pot ahead of showdown with 'Canes

Apparently the Capitals players did not get the memo on there record of 6-10 with out him.Oveckin is not the brightest chicken either By kkevin7048

You mean this Oveckin?

Awards and achievements
NHLNHL All-Rookie Team: 2006
NHL First All-Star Team: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
NHL Second All-Star Team: 2011
NHL All-Star Game selections: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012*
NHL All-Star Game SuperSkills Competition - "Breakaway Challenge" Winner (2008, 2009, 2011) Hart Memorial Trophy (MVP): 2008, 2009 Lester B. Pearson Award/ Ted Lindsay Award* (Most Outstanding Player): 2008, 2009, 2010* Art Ross Trophy (Scoring Leader): 2008 (112 points) Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy (Most Goals): 2008 (65 goals), 2009 (56 goals) Kharlamov Trophy â�� 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 Calder Memorial Trophy â�� NHL Rookie of the Year: 2006 NHL Player of the Year â�� The Sporting News: 2008, 2009

RE: Capitals stir pot ahead of showdown with 'Canes

Both of these teams are steaming piles of human waste.....so who cares....
- Posted by Obamacare rises

Did the middle schools let out early today? Please tell me you are not a grown man and still using phrases like that.

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Derek Medlin