Alexander Semin is hoping to find another NHL job after the Carolina Hurricanes placed him on unconditional waivers for the purpose of a buyout.
The 31-year-old Russian could have numerous options to play overseas, but agent Todd Diamond told Sportsnet that he’s focused on getting his client work in North America.
“Without question Semin will play in the NHL and will have a great season,” Diamond said Tuesday. “We’ve already received calls on him.”
The buyout decision wasn’t an easy one for a smaller-market team like Carolina. As recently as late January, Hurricanes general manager Ron Francis said he wouldn’t go down this route with Semin.
However, he was forced to rethink that strategy following a season where Semin finished with a career-low six goals in 57 games and was sometimes a healthy scratch. Francis phoned Diamond on Tuesday morning — the last day of the NHL’s first buyout period — to share the news.
Semin had three seasons remaining on the $35-million, five-year extension he signed with Carolina in March 2013. Under the terms of the buyout, he’ll be paid $2.333-million over the next six years.
An elite scorer with seven 20-goal seasons under his belt, Semin will also be looking to prove that last year was an aberration when he gets his next job.
