Alexander Semin

When Semin's name comes up you usually hear something along the lines of "extreme talent but no work ethic."

Is there anything to actually back this up? Or is it just something that frustrated fans would say?

It was just over a five years ago when Alex Semin was known as one of the top goal scorers in the NHL. Recording 84 points and 40 goals with the Washington Capitals in the 2009-2010 season. This past week, the fallen superstar has signed a to play for the KHL's Magnitogorsk Metallurg in his native Russia for a contract that is considered 'league average' after failing to live up to Montreal's expectations scoring only a single goal and 4 points in 15 games while being listed as a healthy scratch numerous times through the early season. What happened to Alex Semin, and how did he fall so fast?
Alexander Semin was drafted 13th overall in the 2002 NHL draft by the Washington Capitals after an excellent showing in the U18 World Championships notching 15 points and 8 goals in 8 games. After playing a year in Russia, Semin arrived in Washington for the 2003-2004 NHL season scoring 22 points in 52 games for his rookie season. Due to Russia's mandatory military service regulation for all Russian men, Alexander Semin was forced to play the next two years in his native country.
Upon his fulfilled service time, Semin signed a two year deal with Washington in order to play in the NHL for the Capitals. He exploded onto the scene scoring 73 points and 26 goals in 77 games. Semin would soon be known for his deadly shot and was feared by goalies around the league. His next season was somewhat of a disappointment as he was limited to 42 points in 63 games, mainly due to injury trouble. However, Semin rebounded from this and would go on to score 163 points including 74 goals over the course of the next two seasons earning himself a series of one year $6 million dollar and $6.7 million deals with the Capitals. Alexander Semin deserved every bit of the fame he received, having the fourth highest points per game average between 2008-2010 behind the likes of Crosby, Malkin and his line mate Ovechkin.
Semin had reached his peak and the 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 seasons were well below par tallying 54 points both years in 65 and 77 games respectively. Washington had simply given up on the Russian sniper and opted no to re-sign him in the 2012 offseason.
The Carolina Hurricanes signed Semin out of free agency to a one year deal worth $7 million dollars. The Russian seemed to have returned to his normal self during the shortened 2012-2013 season scoring 44 points in 44 games causing the Hurricanes to re-sign him to a cringing 5-year $35 million deal in March of 2013. Semin's following season was at best mediocre notching 42 points in 65 games played. However it was the 2014-2015 season that became Semin's demise as he only netted a career low six goals and 19 points in the span of 57 games. The Hurricanes bought the Russian out of his large contract and it looked like all hope was lost for the former superstar.
In July of 2015, the Montreal Canadiens signed Alex Semin to a 1-year, $1.1 million deal; very low risk. The Canadiens were hoping for a Semin that could provide secondary scoring and use his lethal shot on the power play. However, none of their hopes were achieved as the Russian only managed one goal and three assists in 15 games played often falling victim to a healthy scratch. On December 9th, 2015, Semin was put on waivers for the purpose of terminating his contract. The next thing we hear is that he signs a contract with a KHL team in his native Russia.
The question of "Has Alex Semin played his last NHL game?" is thrown around quite a lot recently. Personally, yes, I do think that the NHL has seen the last of the fallen superstar, he will most likely play out the rest of his career in Russia living off the millions of dollars he has earned over the course of his tragic NHL career.

His 2.3 million a year cap hit has finally come off the books. Not sure if anyone can find a worse cap hit in the last ten years.

Wasn't he like an elite player at one point?

Just wondering how ol' Semin is working out for you guys? I don't mean stat wise, but as far as fitting on the team? I havent watched him play with Carolina yet. I know he wasn't working out so well in Washington (lack of effort, trouble in the locker room etc.) but im curious as to how he is working with the players, off the ice and what the fans think of him as an addition?