2002 NHL Entry Draft

ALEXANDER SEMIN

WASHINGTON • ROUND: 1 OVERALL: 13

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Previous Team: Chelyabinsk Traktor (Russia Div. I)

Pre-Draft Rankings

NHL Central Scouting: 2  Midterm Rank: 9

The Hockey News: 16    Red Line Report: 9

Vital Statistics

Position: LW • Height: 6-0 • Weight: 174 • Shoots: Left
Birthdate: March 3, 1984 • Hometown: Krasnoyarsk, Russia

Pre-Draft Notes

Central Scouting Report: An extremely fast skater with impressive acceleration ... has very strong puck-handling skills and works well in heavy traffic ... possesses a high overall skill level ... a solid two-way player who is very aware of his defensive reponsibilities ... has a good understanding of the game ... a dynamic offensive talent with a good combination of speed and scoring ability ... is strong in front of the net and will not shy away from the physical aspects of the game ... is very capable of giving the big body check.

THN Draft Preview: Patience is a word you often hear about Russian prospect Alexander Semin. And the reason people are preaching patience has nothing to do with any faults in his game. Semin has to fill out before he tests his wares against NHL talent. Scouts like the fact that he's six-foot, but the worry about his stamina, given that he's 174 pounds. But when it comes to skill, Semin has plenty of it. Semin doesn't play the body well and instead uses his stick as a way of keeping his opposition in check. Again, that's due to a lack of strength.

Red Line Report: One of the biggest late movers up the charts. No one helped himself more at the Five Nations or World Under-18s. His game all flows from tremendous skating -- one of the best pure skaters in this draft. Fabulous balance, speed, and acceleration. Reaches top speed in one stride and has great cutting ability and change of direction. Has a slashing style and plays very up-tempo game. High energy guy who rubs off on the whole team. Unbelievable at taking hard passes in skates on the fly and shooting all in one motion. Terrific offensive instincts. Oustanding puck skills -- quick stick, can dangle and make all his moves at top-end speed. Equally adept as a sniper and playmaker. Very opportunistic around net with a quick release and can pick corners.
Projection: Potential first-line scoring winger. Style compares to Markus Naslund.

Pre-Draft Quotes

Strength is the only issue. Sooner or later most of these guys fill out, and, hopefully, he will, too. ... He might be one of the most skilled guys in the draft. He can make plays. He is a real talent.

-- Anonymous NHL Scout, Hockey News Draft Preview

I see Alexander Mogilny type skills in this kid. And I have no trouble with his competitiveness. He is real smart and he has great talent. Strength is the only issue.

-- Anonymous NHL GM, Hockey News Draft Preview