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02/09/2007 -
ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) - On plenty of NHL teams, Alexander Semin would be the top scorer, the rising superstar, the man in the spotlight.
As it happens, he plays for Alex Ovechkin's Washington Capitals, reducing Semin at times to ``the other Alex'' status - the other sharpshooting left wing from Russia who's among the league leaders in goals.
Turns out Semin's OK with that.
``I came here to play,'' he said, ``not to be the center of attention.''
Reigning rookie of the year Ovechkin gets the attention now, but there's another reason hockey fans might not know much yet about his pal Semin, who through Thursday was ninth in the NHL with 29 goals. Semin doesn't speak a lot of English - or at least doesn't mind that people think he doesn't - which leads to scenes like this:
After Washington's recent 7-3 victory over the Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes, a game in which Semin scored two spectacular goals and added an assist, he wandered around the locker room completely unencumbered. While other players were surrounded by TV cameras and reporters' notepads, Semin was left alone.
In the visitor's locker room around the corner, Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward marveled at Semin's wrist shot (``Even if you're anticipating it, he can blow it by you'') and center Eric Staal's praise was effusive, too (``He's got so much skill and such a bullet of a shot, you have to be aware of him all the time on the ice'').
But no one knew what the most significant player in that game had to say about his performance.
``Why should they talk to me if I don't speak English?'' Semin said in an interview translated by a Russian-speaking AP reporter. ``It doesn't bother me. ... If I spoke English and they didn't come up to me, maybe I would get offended or upset, but now, no.''
Semin is 22, Ovechkin is 21, and together they give the rebuilding Capitals reason to believe they'll be a playoff team soon.
``It's really getting to the point where you really have to key on those two,'' Boston Bruins goalie Tim Thomas said.
Entering Friday, they had combined for 62 goals, and only two pairs of teammates had scored more. They both had 13 power-play goals, tied for fifth in the league. Plus there's this: Ovechkin and Semin rank 1-2 in goals by NHL players younger than 23.
``They help each other out. There's less pressure on Ovechkin because Semin can score, and vice versa: If there's too much coverage on Ovechkin, Semin should be having an easier time of it,'' general manager George McPhee said. ``It's just nice that they seem to like one other, and they're good for each other. We drafted both of them and would like to have them for a long time, have them spend their entire careers here.''
This is actually Semin's second stint with the Capitals; a first-round draft pick in 2002, he scored 10 goals in 52 games as a teenager with Washington in 2003-04.
``He was probably too young,'' McPhee said. ``Now he's a few years older and a young man instead of just a boy. There aren't many kids who can handle it.''
When the Capitals wanted Semin to report to the minor leagues during the NHL lockout, he went to play in Russia instead. The Capitals filed a lawsuit, and eventually Semin agreed to return. He's under contract through next season. The team can match any offer to Semin until 2011, and everyone insists there's no ill will stemming from the dispute.
It's also clear Semin's not the same person or player he was last time.
``He got stronger. He comes up with so many more pucks right now. His shot is one of the better shots in the league,'' center Dainius Zubrus said. ``All together, he just matured.''
Said coach Glen Hanlon: ``He's had four years to develop. Now he's way more explosive, and he's played in world championships. He's just a better all-around player. And his understanding of English is way better, so in turn that allows him to understand our systems a lot better.''
Hmmmm.
There's a bit of a mystery about just how good or bad Semin's English actually is. He certainly knows enough to get by, putting together phrases such as, ``What time practice?'' Hanlon tries to communicate with Semin in Russian or asks Ovechkin to help get points across. But the coach also thinks Semin ``understands English better than he'll let on.''
As for Hanlon's Russian, Semin noted: ``He speaks it, but not well.''
Perhaps Semin is simply a man of few words. Even while conversing in Russian at the team's practice facility this week, he spoke barely above a whisper, the volume rising mostly when he said something he found funny, punctuated with a chuckle.
He's earning a reputation among the Capitals as a practical joker, another sign - along with his stats - that he's more confident than during his first stay.
``I know how he can be if he feels comfortable,'' said Ovechkin, who's known Semin for a half-dozen years. ``If he feels trust, he plays unbelievable - he'll score goals, do whatever he wants.''
Semin said he thinks he can reach 50 goals this season, and he hopes that translates into victories.
``I'd like to score more, so the team would win more. That's the most important thing,'' he said, adding later: ``I think everything will be fine. We've lost some, but we're going to win.''
---
Associated Press Writer Sarah Karush contributed to this report.
Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.
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In part two of MySportsbook.com’s draft preview, we’ll take a look at a division that was extremely disappointing last season: the NFC South. Many “experts” predicted the Panthers to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, of course they could not even make the playoffs in an extremely weak NFC. The Saints definitely made up for the disappointing seasons of their NFC South brethren by exploding out of no where en route to the NFC Championship game. For the avid NFL gambler, it is imperative to pay attention to the NFL draft. Although free agency gets a ton of publicity, the successful franchises build their teams around the draft.
1. New Orleans Saints
Who would have thought this time last year that the Saints would be the favorites to win the NFC South for the 2007 campaign? New Orleans is loaded with firepower on the offensive side of the ball but with the exodus of Joe Horn they will most likely look to draft a WR on Day 1. Despite having the NFL’s 3rd ranked pass defense last season, the Saints will most likely upgrade their CB’s with one of their first two picks. Other possibilities for the Saints will be TE and DT. Because of where they will be selecting (27th), the Saints could go the “best available player” route which could net a LB.
Key additions: Eric Johnson TE, Troy Evans LB, David Patten WR
Key loses: Joe Horn WR,
Team needs: CB, WR, TE, LB, DT
Possible draftees: Aaron Ross CB Texas, Darrelle Revis CB Pitt, Ted Ginn Jr. WR OSU, Paul Posluszny LB PSU, Chris Houston CB Arkansas, Greg Olsen TE Miami
2. Carolina Panthers
Carolina was one of the biggest disappointments in the NFL last season. With the signing of David Carr, expect the very first quarterback controversy to come out of Carolina if Jake Delhomme doesn’t rebound quickly from an average 2007 season. With veteran safety Mike Minter getting up there in age, they will look to draft a safety on Day 1 but probably not in the first round. LB is another need with the loss of Chris Draft to go along with Dan Morgan’s concussion problems. If TE Greg Olsen is still on the board, he might be too good to pass up despite their needs on the defensive side of the ball.
Key additions: David Carr QB
Key loses: Chris Draft LB
Team needs: LB, TE, S, OT
Possible draftees: Greg Olsen TE Miami, Patrick Willis LB Ole Miss, Paul Posluszny LB PSU, Levi Brown OT PSU
3. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons were another NFC South team to have a disappointing 2007 season. The Falcons have been plenty busy during the off season with plenty of players coming and going including a new head coach. The Falcons were able to improve their draft position with the trade of coveted backup QB Matt Schaub. High on the list of Day 1 needs will be a defensive end to replace Patrick Kerney and a hard hitting safety since Lawyer Milloy is nearing the end of his career. With an additional 2nd round pick, the Falcons could attempt to trade up to acquire local product WR Calvin Johnson.
Key additions: Joey Harrington QB, Toniu Fonoti OG, Joe Horn WR
Key loses: Justin Griffen RB, Patrick Kerney DE, Matt Lehr OG, Ashley Lelie WR, Matt Schaub QB
Team needs: DE, S, OT, WR, DT
Possible draftees: LaRon Landry S LSU, Amobi Okoye DT Louisville, Levi Brown OT PSU, Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas, Alan Branch DT Michigan
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Age really caught up to the Bucs last season. The Bucs still have plenty of household names on defense in Ronde Barber, Simeon Rice and Derrick Brooks but the one thing those three have in common is unfortunately age. It is imperative for the Bucs to get much younger, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Despite having bigger needs on the defensive side of the ball, WR Calvin Johnson is the most likely pick if he is still available when the Bucs pick at the four spot. This would suit Bucs’ faithful just fine as Johnson is widely considered the top talent in the draft and it is a position of need for the Bucs.
Key additions: Jeff Garcia QB, Kevin Carter DE, Torrie Cox CB, Cato June LB
Key loses: Dewayne White DE, Sean Mahan OG
Team needs: WR, LB, DE, CB (Youth on defense!)
Possible draftees: Calvin Johnson WR Georgia Tech, Gains Adams DE Clemson, Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas
It is never too early to start betting on the NFL. Log on to MySportsbook.com to checkout all of the NFL futures for the upcoming season. On the clock: the NFC North
Odds to win the NFC South:
New Orleans Saints 8-5
Carolina Panthers 2-1
Atlanta Falcons 12-5
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9-2
Odds to win the NFC:
New Orleans Saints 13-2
Carolina Panthers 7-1
Atlanta Falcons 20-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 25-1
Odds to win the Super Bowl:
New Orleans Saints 18-1
Carolina Panthers 20-1
Atlanta Falcons 50-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 75-1
To visit this sportsbook get to MySportsbook.com for all your online sportsbook needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.
New York, NY – October 3, 2007 – The dress rehearsal is over! The NHL preseason has ended and now that fans have had a glimpse of what is to come it is time to hit the book! Stanley Cup odds are live at MySportsbook.com, the world’s largest online sportsbook and casino.
The Ottawa Senators and Detroit Red Wings remain on top of the odds charts after an impressive start in the preseason. Betting lines opened for both teams at 6-1 in June. Since then the Sens have fallen to 7-1 and the Red Wings are now caught in a pack including the defending champion Carolina Hurricanes, the San Jose Sharks and the Anaheim Ducks, all at 10-1.
MySportsbook.com has also posted props on each team’s point total for the regular season. The Senators lead the charge at 108.5 followed by the Ducks at 106.5. Detroit will attempt a repeat for the prize as the Red Wings are deadlocked with the Predators at 104.5 a piece. The temporary loss of highly touted rookie Evgeni Malkin puts a lot of pressure on the stick of assistant captain Sidney Crosby - his lowly Pittsburgh Penguins are listed at 71.5.
Even if bettors are not brave enough to put their money on the underdog, an early bet on the favorites at sportsbook.com tends to produce bigger payouts than a mid-season wager. Placing a $1,000 bet last summer on the Detroit Red Wings or Ottawa Senators would have paid out to $8,000 and $10,000 respectively, opposed to a $2,500 or $3,000 payout at the beginning of the playoffs.
| Ottawa Senators Detroit Red Wings Carolina Hurricanes San Jose Sharks Anaheim Ducks Philadelphia Flyers Calgary Flames New Jersey Devils Buffalo Sabres Dallas Stars New York Rangers Nashville Predators Vancouver Canucks Colorado Avalanche Minnesota Wild Tampa Bay Lightning Boston Bruins Florida Panthers Montreal Canadiens Atlanta Thrashers Toronto Maple Leafs Edmonton Oilers Phoenix Coyotes Los Angeles Kings New York Islanders Columbus Blue Jackets St. Louis Blues Pittsburgh Penguins Washington Capitals Chicago Blackhawks |
7-1 10-1 10-1 10-1 10-1 12-1 12-1 12-1 12-1 15-1 15-1 15-1 20-1 20-1 25-1 25-1 30-1 30-1 30-1 30-1 30-1 30-1 40-1 40-1 50-1 50-1 80-1 80-1 100-1 100-1 |
NHL Regular Season Points - Team Must Play 82 Games
| Team Ottawa Senators Anaheim Ducks Detroit Red Wings Nashville Predators San Jose Sharks Calgary Flames Philadelphia Flyers New Jersey Devils Buffalo Sabres Carolina Hurricanes Dallas Stars New York Rangers Minnesota Wild Atlanta Thrashers Montreal Canadiens Team Los Angeles Kings Tampa Bay Lightening Vancouver Canucks Boston Bruins Colorado Avalanche Edmonton Oilers Phoenix Coyotes Toronto Maple Leafs Florida Panthers Columbus Blue Jackets New York Islanders Chicago Blackhawks St. Louis Blues Washington Capitals Pittsburgh Penguins |
Over/Under 108.5 106.5 104.5 104.5 103.5 101.5 100.5 99.5 97.5 97.5 97.5 95.5 94.5 93.5 92.5 Over/Under 91.5 91.5 91.5 89.5 89.5 88.5 88.5 86.5 84.5 82.5 80.5 72.5 72.5 72.5 71.5 |
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