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July-17th-2003, 09:41 AM
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A2189-2003Jul16.html
Caps Sign Another First-Round Pick
By Emily Badger
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, July 17, 2003; Page D08
The Washington Capitals yesterday announced the signing of 19-year-old defenseman Alexander Semin to a three-year deal.
Semin is the last of the team's three 2002 first-round draft picks to sign; Steve Eminger and Boyd Gordon are the other members of the 2002 class. Semin is the only one of the trio not on hand this week for the team's rookie camp.
The Capitals and Semin's agent would not disclose terms of the deal, saying only that it is on par with what other top draft picks received. The contract contains a clause that would allow Semin to return to his Russian team next season if he doesn't make the Capitals. That decision would be made by both parties.
"He's a highly skilled player, maybe one of the highest-skilled players in that draft," Capitals General Manager George McPhee said. "If he doesn't make our team, we'll consider sending him back to Russia. We'll do whatever is in his best interests."
After being drafted 13th overall in 2002, Semin added to his value last season by winning the Russian Hockey League rookie of the year award. In 47 games with Lada Togliatta he recorded 10 goals and seven assists to finish fifth on the team in scoring.
The 6-foot, 185-pounder also scored more goals than any other player in the Russian playoffs and was the youngest member of the Russian national team -- a fact that impressed McPhee.
"Obviously the team saw how Alexander developed for the past year," Semin's agent, Dmitri Goryachkin, said. "The negotiations went very smoothly and were very productive, and we were satisfied with that."
Semin is training with Lada Togliatta but will attend the Capitals' preseason camp later this summer.
Meantime, restricted free agent Michael Nylander filed for arbitration by Tuesday's midnight deadline. If he doesn't agree to a deal with the Capitals in the next two weeks, his case will go to hearing between Aug. 1 and 15.
The Capitals also announced their 2003-04 schedule. They will play division opponents six times, up from four last year, on a schedule that drastically reduces the number of West Coast games.
"It's one of the better schedules that we've had," McPhee said. "It has the balance that we like with road trips and home games. We've had some very difficult and unnecessarily long road trips in the past, but that's been resolved this year."
© 2003 The Washington Post Company
Caps Sign Another First-Round Pick
By Emily Badger
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, July 17, 2003; Page D08
The Washington Capitals yesterday announced the signing of 19-year-old defenseman Alexander Semin to a three-year deal.
Semin is the last of the team's three 2002 first-round draft picks to sign; Steve Eminger and Boyd Gordon are the other members of the 2002 class. Semin is the only one of the trio not on hand this week for the team's rookie camp.
The Capitals and Semin's agent would not disclose terms of the deal, saying only that it is on par with what other top draft picks received. The contract contains a clause that would allow Semin to return to his Russian team next season if he doesn't make the Capitals. That decision would be made by both parties.
"He's a highly skilled player, maybe one of the highest-skilled players in that draft," Capitals General Manager George McPhee said. "If he doesn't make our team, we'll consider sending him back to Russia. We'll do whatever is in his best interests."
After being drafted 13th overall in 2002, Semin added to his value last season by winning the Russian Hockey League rookie of the year award. In 47 games with Lada Togliatta he recorded 10 goals and seven assists to finish fifth on the team in scoring.
The 6-foot, 185-pounder also scored more goals than any other player in the Russian playoffs and was the youngest member of the Russian national team -- a fact that impressed McPhee.
"Obviously the team saw how Alexander developed for the past year," Semin's agent, Dmitri Goryachkin, said. "The negotiations went very smoothly and were very productive, and we were satisfied with that."
Semin is training with Lada Togliatta but will attend the Capitals' preseason camp later this summer.
Meantime, restricted free agent Michael Nylander filed for arbitration by Tuesday's midnight deadline. If he doesn't agree to a deal with the Capitals in the next two weeks, his case will go to hearing between Aug. 1 and 15.
The Capitals also announced their 2003-04 schedule. They will play division opponents six times, up from four last year, on a schedule that drastically reduces the number of West Coast games.
"It's one of the better schedules that we've had," McPhee said. "It has the balance that we like with road trips and home games. We've had some very difficult and unnecessarily long road trips in the past, but that's been resolved this year."
© 2003 The Washington Post Company