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Alexander Semin signs with Carolina -- one year, $7 million

Florida Panthers v Washington Capitals

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 05: Alexander Semin #28 of the Washington Capitals brings the puck in on net during the third period against the Florida Panthers at the Verizon Center on April 5, 2012 in Washington, DC. Semin scored on the play. The Capitals won the game 4-2. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

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Alexander Semin will stay in the Southeast Division, but it won’t be in Washington.

The Carolina Hurricanes announced they signed the offensively gifted Russian to a one-year contract worth $7 million.

Throughout his career Semin has been a big scorer with 40-goal ability and now he’ll join a Hurricanes team boasting Eric Staal, Jordan Staal, Jeff Skinner, and Tuomo Ruutu up front. Suddenly Carolina’s ability to score seems downright scary.

Canes GM Jim Rutherford sounds very hopeful that Semin will put them into another level.

“We have done a lot of research about Alexander, and discussions about his fit with our team have included people at many different levels of our organization, including players, coaches and staff,” said Rutherford. “What’s been clear throughout this process was his commitment to wanting to play in the NHL, and compete against the world’s best players.

“Alexander’s elite skill level and ability to score from the wing fill an important need on the ice, and we hope that a fresh start in Carolina will serve both Alexander and our team well.”

Given the rumblings and grumblings out of Washington the last few seasons about Semin’s work ethic and ability to focus, finding out Semin’s commitment level was necessary. Rutherford mentioning that says as much.

It may not be a mistake he chose Carolina as he’ll be able to torture the Capitals directly six times a year as well as in the hunt for the division. The Southeast Division just got a whole lot more interesting.