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Have ‘Canes reached breaking point with Semin?

Carolina Hurricanes v Columbus Blue Jackets

Carolina Hurricanes v Columbus Blue Jackets

NHLI via Getty Images

Alexander Semin’s nightmare campaign continued on Tuesday, as Carolina head coach Bill Peters explained why Semin would likely be a healthy scratch tonight versus Tampa Bay.

From Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer:

Peters said he will play the “best 20 players” and wants players to show teammates, organization they want to play. “Show me,” he said.

— Chip Alexander (@ice_chip) January 27, 2015


Asked Peters if Semin situation is frustrating: “It’s not frustrating to me. We just play the guys who dig in and work and play with speed.”

— Chip Alexander (@ice_chip) January 27, 2015


Peters said he has had several conversations with Semin this season. “Obviously something’s not right. Talk is cheap, though, right?”

— Chip Alexander (@ice_chip) January 27, 2015


The question now is what will be done about Semin? Waivers, send to AHL, buyout? It seems clear Peters’ patience has run out.

— Chip Alexander (@ice_chip) January 27, 2015


Semin, who’s only played in 26 games this year due to injuries and healthy scratches, is in the second of a five-year, $35 million deal that carries a $7M cap hit through 2018. His first two years in Carolina were fairly solid -- he scored 35 goals and 86 points in 109 games -- but this year has been an unmitigated disaster; Peters, in his first year on the job, has responded by sending Semin a series of messages... none of which seem to have gotten through.

(Don’t forget that the ‘Canes are actually playing some good hockey lately. They’re 6-2-1 in January, most of which coincided with Semin being parked in the press box.)

Expect talk of parting ways with Semin to continue in Carolina, especially in light of Los Angeles waiving Mike Richards on Monday. Richards, like Semin, has an expensive contract -- making $5.75M annually through 2019 -- and, like Semin, was woefully underperforming compared to his price tag.

Update: To clarify the above tweet regarding buyouts -- amnesty buyouts are no longer available, but clubs can still exercise regular buyouts on players, like Arizona did with Mike Ribeiro during last year’s NHL Entry Draft.