Alexander Semin Walking the Walk and Now Talking the Talk

The Washington Capitals still have an Alexander the Great. Instead of Ovechkin, the last name reads Semin currently. He emerged into the NHL scene during the 2003-2004 season, scoring 10 goals and assisting on 12 in 52 games played.

I didn't notice Semin that year. It was the last year before the lockout and Ovechkin wasn't on the roster yet. In other words, the Capitals were the lowest of the low, and attention was hard to come by for them.

The talented young Russian could have played in the post-lockout season, but there were some road bumps.

There was some confusion about Semin's obligations to the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. It requires all Russian men to serve two years, but it allows soldiers who are hockey players to play for professional hockey teams in Russia during their period of service.

However, they are not allowed to play for teams in other countries. Translation: No NHL action for Semin just yet. The 24-year-old played his second year with Lada during the 2005-2006 NHL season.

Lada is located in the military district into which Semin was drafted, and they were the only team with whom he could complete his military duty. It took some time for the papers and controversy to get cleared up, but he returned to the NHL.

It was in the 2006-2007 season that Semin emerged onto everyone's radar. The native of Krasnoyarsik gave Ovechkin plenty of support offensively with 38 goals and 35 assists in 77 games.

On numerous occasions, he showed off that flashy wrist shot of his to world. "The other Alex" was the nickname given to him eventually, as he was branded one of the NHL's promising future stars.

Last season, Semin was limited to 63 games due to injury. It wasn't until the latter part of the year that he began to find that offensive edge of his. Still, he managed 26 goals to go along with 16 assists for a decent year.

In the playoffs, the youngster showcased his talent for the first time in postseason action like many of his teammates. Washington exited in a tough first round, seven-game series with the Philadelphia Flyers.

Semin totaled eight points (three goals, five assists) in the seven matches.

We are not even a quarter of the way through this season yet. Evgeni Malkin is the leading point producer with 22 in the early-going. Take a guess as to who's right behind him with 21 points.

That's right, it's Alexander Semin with 11 goals and 10 assists. With Ovechkin struggling to find his goals, "The other Alex" is turning heads with his performances night-in and night-out.

I can't say enough about his shot. It's one of the quickest wristers I have ever seen and the accuracy on it is just mesmerizing. Last night, he wired home an empty netter against the New York Rangers from his own end.

Say what you will, but I think that was an intentional shot on goal, and not a clearance attempt. We all knew he had the talent, but now Semin has also got the words to go along with it.

The Washington sniper told a Russian reporter his thoughts about Sidney Crosby.

"What's so special about Crosby? I don't see anything special there. Yes, he does skate well, has a good head, a 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.

"I think that if you take any player, even if he is 'dead wood,' and start promoting him, you'll get a star," Semin added. "Especially if he scores 100 points. No one is going to care about anyone else. No one is going to care whether he possesses great skill.

"Let's say you put someone in front of the net and let him deflect pucks in, and he scores 50 goals, everyone will say 'Wow!' and then hand him a $10-million-per-year contract."

Plenty of Canadians will be sending hate mail to Semin for these comments. If you ask me, they shouldn't get themselves so worked up over it. Everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion and Crosby even made that clear.

Credit should be given to Semin for saying what's on his mind, unlike most NHL players who are following orders by not pouring gasoline on the fire.

He has talent and now the attitude to go along with it. If injuries can be avoided, it could be a year that concludes with trophies for Alexander Semin. He is clearly the next great Russian superstar to join the group in the National Hockey League.

Writers should begin thinking about new nicknames for this star because "The other Alex" is history as far as I'm concerned.

How about, "The great twenty-eight"? I know, I came up with it myself.