SEMIN TO SCORE

Alexander Semin hopes to re-ignite his career. The Montreal Canadiens are making a low-risk gamble that he can. The Canadiens signed Semin to a US$1.1 million, one-year contract Friday, the kind of move that could pay major dividends if it works out or be written off as an cheap mistake if it fails. “Alex is a pure goal scorer with a good shot,” general manager Marc Bergevin said in a statement. “His signing represents a great opportunity for the organization and for Alex’s career.” Montreal got Semin at a bargainbasement price after the Carolina Hurricanes bought him out of the final three years of a contract that paid him $7 million annually. Once a 40-goal scorer and with seven seasons of over 20 goals on his résumé, Semin sputtered with six goals and 13 assists this past year. Despite his high cap hit and talent that some NHL executives con- sider among the best in hockey, Semin was occasionally a healthy scratch. “Last year was a bad season for me,” Semin said on a conference call. “I not score no points, I play not well. I try going back to how I can play.” After initially deferring to Bergevin and coach Michel Therrien about his role in Montreal, the 31-year-old spelled it out perfectly. “Score goal, win the game,” he said.

“That’s it.”