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After seven straight healthy scratches, Semin says ‘I want to play’

Alex Galchenyuk; Alexander Semin

Alex Galchenyuk; Alexander Semin

AP

The last time Alex Semin played for Montreal was back on Oct. 27 -- a 5-1 loss in Vancouver, in which he finished minus-2 with one shot on goal in just over 13 minutes of action.

Since then, he’s been sitting in the press box.

Seven straight games, and counting -- that’s how many times Semin’s been a healthy scratch, a streak that may or may not continue on Saturday when the Habs host the Avs.

“When you don’t play in seven games, after that it’s tough to get started,” Semin said, per the Habs website. “But, I want a fresh start and I want to play.”

Semin started the year promisingly enough, playing second-line wing next to Alex Galchenyuk while registering two assists against hated rival Boston in just his second game in a Montreal uniform.

But from there, things went south.

A string of listless performances forced head coach Michel Therrien to put Semin in the press box. Therrien alluded to the reasons for his decision this week, saying Semin’s “pace and execution have been faster” lately, which “wasn’t the case during the first few weeks of the season.”

Now, it’ll be interesting to see when the Russian gets back in the mix.

Semin skated with Galchenyuk and Lars Eller at Friday’s practice, filling the role left open by Torrey Mitchell’s (person) absence. That could mean Semin gets back in against Colorado on Saturday.

And if he doesn’t?

Consider what Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman told 630 CHED (Edmonton) today.

“For reasons that he’s not playing, I wonder if Semin in Montreal is going to end up either on waivers or get traded somewhere,” Friedman explained. “Just because they’ve got no room for him in the lineup.”