Alexander Semin unlikely to return to Washington Capitals next year, agent says

Alexander Semin is unlikely to return to the Washington Capitals, his agent Mark Gandler told TSN Radio in Canada.

Semin, 28, will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

"There's no question, he likes Washington and the organization," Gandler said. "He does not like the way he's being used. He does not like the role he has under the [Capitals'] new direction."

The Capitals relied on an up-tempo offensive system for several years, but after several playoff disappointments in recent years, the team shifted to more of a defense-first system.

Semin has seen his production drop in recent years. After scoring a career-high 40 goals in the 2009-10 season, Semin followed that up with 28 goals and 21 goals in the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons, respectively.

Gandler also told ESPN that Semin was leaving the Capitals as a free agent.

For his part, Semin said he has not closed the door on a return to the Capitals, telling Sovetsky Sport's Pavel Lysenkov, "This is all just talk. Words can get twisted. There was no talk at all that I am not going to sign with the Capitals for sure. I have not talked to them [the Capitals] about leaving. And please don't ask me questions about the next season anymore."

Semin has drawn some criticism in recent years for his lack of production in the playoffs. This postseason, he only had four points, including three goals.

"Alex Semin is not a lazy player," Gandler said. "Alex Semin works damn hard at each practice and goes to the gym every day on the days off."

Semin is playing for the Russian national team that is participating in the IIHF Worlds Championships, as is Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin.

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