Canes Country Exit Analysis: Sergei Samsonov
by Bob Wage on Jun 24, 2009 4:35 PM EDT
14 comments
Who could forget the story behind Sergei Samsonov in 2007-08? After an atrocious start with the Chicago Blackhawks which saw him goal-less in his first 23 games, the Hurricanes picked the winger up on waivers and the Russian promptly went on a scoring tear, knocking in 14 goals and chipping in a total of 32 points in his final 38 games. He also played solid two-way hockey and finished with a +6 in Carolina after being -7 with the Hawks.
The smooth as silk skater has always been a streaky player, and last season was no different. He started out a bit slowly, only to pick up steam later in the year during the playoff push. (good timing?). He had a very good playoffs, (especially against Boston), and scored five goals along with three assists in 17 post season games. (He was injured and missed one contest).
Samsonov was originally drafted by Boston and won rookie of the year honors back in 1997-98. After several years in Beantown, he was traded to Edmonton before the 2006 trade deadline and was an integral part of the Oilers run to the Stanley Cup Finals. During that offseason, he signed a contract with the Montreal Canadiens and things went sour for awhile. The impatient Habs sent him packing to Chicago after just one disappointing season, and the Hawks placed him on waivers, just 23 games after acquiring him.
But Jim Rutherford knows that patience is indeed a virtue, especially with streaky players. If you give Samsonov enough time, he is skilled enough to produce. Hopefully, he will find his scoring touch earlier in the season next year.
The Good- There is no one better in the league at skating and puckhandling than Sergei Samsonov. He can shuck and jive and skate circles around anyone, plus carry the puck on a string while he does it. He's an unselfish player who is a good playmaker and passer, and he has a decent shot. Samsonov was very good in the playoffs and seems to pick up his game when the pressure is on. Perhaps most importantly, he's happy in Carolina. When the player is happy, you can expect positive things from him. Last but not least, win or lose, it can be a joy just to watch him skate.
The Bad- Did I mention that he can be a streaky player? Sometimes the scoreless streaks can be long. The consistent complaint about Samsonov has been that he holds onto the puck too long while trying to set up a play. Most experts say that he needs to shoot more. While he usually tries hard, his defensive play can be suspect. (-8 this season). He is one of several Carolina forwards who brings little physical contact with his game.
The Money- Samsonov still has two years remaining on his original three year deal he signed last offseason. He will earn a reasonable 2.5 million next year and 2.8 million in 2010-11.
______
Here are the results of our previous exit polls. (Jussi Jokinen came very close to earning an A, but ended up with a B from the majority).
Anton Babchuk - B
Jussi Jokinen - B
Chad LaRose - A
Matt Cullen - B
Eric Staal - B
Rod Brind'Amour - C
Ryan Bayda - B
Niclas Wallin - C
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Just for interest's sake...
Here are the mean grades (not including incompletes) for a bit more detailed look, based on the GPA scale (A=4, F=0)
Rosie: A- (3.77)
Jokinen: B+ (3.37)
Staal: B+ (3.17)
Cullen: B (3.11)
Seidenberg: B (2.88)
Bayda: B- (2.62)
Babs: B- (2.53)
Wallin: C+ (2.19)
Brindy: C- (1.62)
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
Thanks, big guy.
You apparently have almost as much free time for hockey numbers as Bubba and Cory. Hmmm. (All for the greater good)
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Jun 24, 2009 7:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Haha...yes, crazy free time.
Granted, that only took about three minutes, but it keeps me occupied at work.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jun 24, 2009 9:25 PM EDT up reply actions
C+
The guy is too much of a defensive liability to not score on a more consistent basis. My other complaint is that – other than in the Boston series – he seems very content to stay away from the net and just skate the puck into the corner.
While I agree with the second part of your comment (I am shocked every time I see Sammy go to the net and shoot instead of peeling away), I disagree with him being a defensive liability. In his short time here he has always backchecked hard and been responsible in his own end. Aside from that terrible drought to start the season, he had pretty much exactly the kind of year I would have expected from him. I gave him a B.
B-
I gave him a B for fitting well on any line. Yeah , he’s not physical, yeah, he needs to shoot more, yeah, the first couple of months were brutal this season. But he picked it up as the season went along. You think Boston could of used him against us in the Playoffs ?
Did anyone else notice the change in his play with the change in coaches?
He may not be a physical player, as being one of the smaller guys when he hits he doesn’t necessarily punish the other guy, but it sure seemed to me he started to throw his body around more once Maurice stepped back in. Soon after starting to throw the body around, he seemed to start getting more points. And it often seemed like he was in on the play when his line scored even when he didn’t make one of the two passes before the goal.
Due to some excellent performances when coming to see games last year (I only make it to 4-5 a year as I lived in Greenville, sc) he has become my favorite cane. So I always pay close attention to what he does. I think one of the things he is underrated on is his playmaking ability. Several times it seemed he would make a pass from behind the goal line to Rod to get a goal. And the move to make the pass or the pass itself would be one only he could make.
Another nice thing about him is if you put him on the third line, all of a sudden the third defensive pairing for the other team seems to get less ice time. As the canes won many games this year because they had better legs in the third then the opposition, having players like Sergei that can make a coach reluctant to use all of his defensive availability is a great plus.
My gripe about him would be this: he can only seem to use his brain for two of these three things at any one time: skate with puck, shoot, pass. So often he would be skating with the puck, looking for a pass, when shooting would be the better course. Then there were a couple games in the post season when it looked like the coach told him to shoot at all costs and he would fire five times on the same shift. First shot blocked, get rebound, next shot misses net, skate past everyone, get rebound, next shot blocked by keeper, get rebound and reshoot two more times until the goalie covers up. Gotta love the fire.
Other times it is sublime hockey where he gets smothered making a pass to Rod who onetimes it into the net.
Thanks for this. I agree with you point about Sammi’s improvement with the new coach. I also thought he realy clicked on the “Euroline” with Ruuts and Jussi, in the playoffs.
But – I have to ask – if he is your favorite Cane, what grade did you give him?
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Jun 25, 2009 8:21 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, I gave him a B. But rooting for a player and enjoying watching him play do not preclude an honest assessment. Five or ten more goals would have gotten him an A. He is capable of that. I want to see it this year.
I wasn’t questioning your unbiased judgment in the least. Just curious what someone would say when they’ve paid a lot more attention to Sammi’s season specifically (eg more than I, who follows Ruutu because of his impressive play at games we’ve attended) . I would say you may be the best one to grade him.
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by hockeymomof2 on Jun 25, 2009 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m not even going to ask about the a-hole who gave him an F…..
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Jun 25, 2009 4:52 PM EDT reply actions
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