Sergei Samsonov on Waivers

[up2here 41]

He's never been anything more than a guy who was great at handling the puck and could score from time to time. The problem was that his work ethic and self-motivation were non-existent. He'll probably wind up playing back in Russia.

I honestly beleive this guy has something left,but I wouldnt want him until re-entry waivers at half price.

[irishtemper14+25 11]

i like samsonov, soon to be of the kings

[sibiriak 84]

Samsonov has a chronic wrist and back problems along with a host of other past injuries. That is why this former Calder winner is struggling right now. Just like Sergei Fedorov is not the same player anymore because his groin is shot. It has very little to do with any lack of "heart" or "self-motivation".

I wouldn't trade for either of them at this point, but I disagree with attributing bad character to them, just because they physically can't play as well as they used to.

Edited December 30, 2007 by sibiriak

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

Samsonov has a chronic wrist and back problems along with a host of other past injuries. That is why this former Calder winner is struggling right now. Just like Sergei Fedorov is not the same player anymore because his groin is shot. It has very little to do with any lack of "heart" or "self-motivation".

I wouldn't trade for either of them at this point, but I disagree with attributing bad character to them, just because they physically can't play as well as they used to.

Fedorov's problem now is old age, not his character. Samsonov problem has always been his character. That's the way I see it.

[Guest EZBAKETHAGANGSTA]

As poorly as Samsonov has performed this season, despite his outrageous price tag, I would pick him up. Here's why:

Samsonov still has wicked hands and ridiculous speed. What he hasn't had anywhere he's played has been a regular Russian linemate. I would pick him up and try him with Dats and see how it works. At worst, the Wings waive him and he's off the cap. At best, we pick up the top-six scoring forward everyone here wants, and we can split up DZH if necessary. If Samsonov works out and performs like a top six, we could roll the following lines or something similar:

Hudler-Zetterberg-Holmstrom

Samsonov-Datsyuk-Samuelsson

Franzen-Filppula-Cleary

Maltby-Draper-Kopecky

I was thinking this to, and if we still had Bowman I would be all for it as he woudl've gotten his ass in gear, but now I don't think he really cares to much. If we get him on re-entrys i won't be upset but definatly enthusiastic.

switch samuelsson to chicago and samsonov to detroit and their stats would be reversed and samuelsson would be the one getting waived. I just figured the swap because samsonov is faster, but they are pretty much the same player.

Samsonov has an unbeliavable more amount of natural talent than Sammy ever had. Bad comparison.

[sibiriak 84]

Fedorov's problem now is old age, not his character. Samsonov problem has always been his character. That's the way I see it.

Got any proof of Samsonov's "bad charachter"? He had been villified by the Montrea press last year for not playing up to his high contract, but do you know of any facts that show him actually doing something he shouldn't have?

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

Got any proof of Samsonov's "bad charachter"? He had been villified by the Montrea press last year for not playing up to his high contract, but do you know of any facts that show him actually doing something he shouldn't have?

By character I meant laziness and lack of effort. Anytime a guy with that much talent is doing nothing on the scoreboard, you have to attribute it to a poor work ethic. It's not bad luck or bad teammates, because all those things eventually even out.

[sibiriak 84]

By character I meant laziness and lack of effort. Anytime a guy with that much talent is doing nothing on the scoreboard, you have to attribute it to a poor work ethic. It's not bad luck or bad teammates, because all those things eventually even out.

Samsonov's strong suit - puckhandling and skating. With a bad back and a bad wrist, he can't do much of either. Thus, he is not effective. When a player who has obvious talent is not performing, the first thing to consider is always whether he has an injury. Players at this level do not suddenly become lazy or unmotivated overnight. When a player has a bad season it is almost always because he has to battle through an injury.

So before you go casting aspersions on someone's character, check your facts.

If you have no more to go on than a (wrong) assumption, you ought to refrain from casting blame.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

Samsonov's strong suit - puckhandling and skating. With a bad back and a bad wrist, he can't do much of either. Thus, he is not effective. When a player who has obvious talent is not performing, the first thing to consider is always whether he has an injury. Players at this level do not suddenly become lazy or unmotivated overnight. When a player has a bad season it is almost always because he has to battle through an injury.

So before you go casting aspersions on someone's character, check your facts.

If you have no more to go on than a (wrong) assumption, you ought to refrain from casting blame.

In that case, he's not very adept at playing through injuries like athletes have to do. Yeah, stats can decrease with injuries, but in his case, the stats have completely disappeared. I attribute it to a lack of tougness and work ethic, because he's unable to play through pain.

[Hank 0]

Man has this guy plummeted to earth.

A few years ago the CBC ran a 6 hour mini-series on the behind scenes of the NHL. The first episode featured the drafting of Thornton and what his first training camp and season were like.

During training camp the Boston bigwigs loved Samsanov and were continuelly asking "what's wrong with Big Joe". Time and time again, Samsanov would impress while Joe would find himself in the press box.

Fast foward 10 years and boy have things reveresed. Joe is one of the leagues premier players and Samsanov can't find a home. Quoting coach Chadwick from 'Youngblood' how did Samsanov get so horesh*t in one day?

What's disturbing is this guy's only 28 years old and he's basically finished. With his skills, he should be dominating in the new NHL.

I'm sure the Leafs will pick him up.

Edited December 31, 2007 by Hank

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Man has this guy plummeted to earth.

A few years ago the CBC ran a 6 hour mini-series on the behind scenes of the NHL. The first episode featured the drafting of Thornton and what his first training camp and season were like.

During training camp the Boston bigwigs loved Samsanov and were continuelly asking "what's wrong with Big Joe". Time and time again, Samsanov would impress while Joe would find himself in the press box.

Fast foward 10 years and boy have things reveresed. Joe is one of the leagues premier players and Samsanov can't find a home. Quoting coach Chadwick from 'Youngblood' how did Samsanov get so horesh*t in one day?

What's disturbing is this guy's only 28 years old and he's basically finished. With his skills, he should be dominating in the new NHL.

I'm sure the Leafs will pick him up.

He'll be Mats Sundins finisher!

[sibiriak 84]

In that case, he's not very adept at playing through injuries like athletes have to do. Yeah, stats can decrease with injuries, but in his case, the stats have completely disappeared. I attribute it to a lack of tougness and work ethic, because he's unable to play through pain.

Actually, his only "bad" full season was the last one. Before that he was scoring at or above his carreer average. The beginning of this season does not look promising either.

During the lockout year Samsonov signed with Dinamo Moscow, but was unable toplay due to a back injury. He rehabbed for the remainder of the lockout year and then went on to have his worst NHL season in Montreal. Is it a coincidence that his play went downhill following a serious back injury? I don't think so.

According to your logic, every single player who's carreer had been hampered or ended by an injury has a poor work ethic and is unable to play through pain. Does Brian Berard have poor work ethic because he was blinded in one eye? Does Matthew Barnaby? Mike Ricci? Darcy Tucker? John Leclaire? Adam Deadmarsh? Peter Forsberg? Your argument is ridiculous.

Edited December 31, 2007 by sibiriak

[Hank 0]

Actually, his only "bad" full season was the last one. Before that he was scoring at or above his carreer average. The beginning of this season does not look promising either.

During the lockout year Samsonov signed with Dinamo Moscow, but was unable toplay due to a back injury. He rehabbed for the remainder of the lockout year and then went on to have his worst NHL season in Montreal. Is it a coincidence that his play went downhill following a serious back injury? I don't think so.

According to your logic, every single player who's carreer had been hampered or ended by an injury has a poor work ethic and is unable to play through pain. Does Brian Berard have poor work ethic because he was blinded in one eye? Does Matthew Barnaby? Mike Ricci? Darcy Tucker? John Leclaire? Adam Deadmarsh? Peter Forsberg? Your argument is ridiculous.

I'd like to see documented proof that his back is so bad that he can't perform to the level that he did before. All of the players you listed above had documented injuries and/or surgeries that prevented them from playing.

As of right now, Samsanov is still cleared to play. I'm sure if I was him, I'd much rather go back under the knife or get placed on the IR than be placed on waivers and essentially wave the white-flag on his career.

Another point is that Sammy's been garbage for two years. Essentially, he hasn't been an effective player since he was 26. You can't say that about any of the players you mentioned above.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

Actually, his only "bad" full season was the last one. Before that he was scoring at or above his carreer average. The beginning of this season does not look promising either.

During the lockout year Samsonov signed with Dinamo Moscow, but was unable toplay due to a back injury. He rehabbed for the remainder of the lockout year and then went on to have his worst NHL season in Montreal. Is it a coincidence that his play went downhill following a serious back injury? I don't think so.

According to your logic, every single player who's carreer had been hampered or ended by an injury has a poor work ethic and is unable to play through pain. Does Brian Berard have poor work ethic because he was blinded in one eye? Does Matthew Barnaby? Mike Ricci? Darcy Tucker? John Leclaire? Adam Deadmarsh? Peter Forsberg? Your argument is ridiculous.

Those guys you mentioned had their careers ended by injury, excpet for Tucker who is still playing. Samsonov hasn't retired yet. The point is that the best players always played well through pain. Yeah, their numbers might tail off a bit, but in Samsonov's case he has shown that he cannot play through pain, and his numbers have disappeared. He's going to have to battle through it, or else retire.

[WingNutt 12]

hes not right for the wings anymore but, would still be a good pickup for another team, anyone who says this guy has no talent hasn't seen him play much. He was playing extremly well when he was with the Oilers a few years back. Montreal is another story, and Chicago the guy hasn't even played their a full season and people are knocking him so far. I hope he finds another team here in the states but if he goes back to Russia he will earn more and have better fans.

now bring on the I'm only saying this because he's Russian comments. and I'll counter with the same old your dogging the guy more because hes Russian.

Just have to remember the good old days when he was playing for the Vipers, and lead us to a Championship.

Lets not forget his name on the Calder Trophy either.

[Kp-Wings 3]

Samsonov on re-entry waivers

Looks like he could find a new home after all. Teams only do this (place players on re-entry waivers) when they know someone will claim him, because it doesn't seem likely he'll be back on the Hawks roster.

[sibiriak 84]

I'd like to see documented proof that his back is so bad that he can't perform to the level that he did before. All of the players you listed above had documented injuries and/or surgeries that prevented them from playing.

As of right now, Samsanov is still cleared to play. I'm sure if I was him, I'd much rather go back under the knife or get placed on the IR than be placed on waivers and essentially wave the white-flag on his career.

Another point is that Sammy's been garbage for two years. Essentially, he hasn't been an effective player since he was 26. You can't say that about any of the players you mentioned above.

He did have a surgery. Obvoiusly, you'd have to ask his doctors for the "documented proof".

Most of the players I listed have been ineffective for several seasons between their injuries and retirement/today. I don't see how Samsonov is any different in that respect. As to "waiving the white flag" - that's silly. He was just put on re-entry waivers and chances are that he will find a new team soon. I wish him luck regardless of what he's going to do in the future.

[imisssergei 0]

I think Samsonov just needs to find the right situation. This would be a combination of coach, system, and teammates. I think Detroit's puck possession style, and current roster could be what Samsonov needs to get back on track.

I'm not saying the Wings should go out and claim him. Just that I think he could do well here. I don't think he is washed up, he has the skills. He just needs to find the right place to showcase them.

[Grittzkey 1]

I think Samsonov just needs to find the right situation. This would be a combination of coach, system, and teammates. I think Detroit's puck possession style, and current roster could be what Samsonov needs to get back on track.

I'm not saying the Wings should go out and claim him. Just that I think he could do well here. I don't think he is washed up, he has the skills. He just needs to find the right place to showcase them.

When do we know if he gets claimed or not?

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Toronto or LA will pick him up. I'd say Chicago, but there the ones who waived him in the first place so....

[imisssergei 0]

When do we know if he gets claimed or not?

He was put back on re-entry waivers on Tuesday, I think teams have 24 or 72 hours to claim him. But I'd be willing to bet if someone wanted him, it wouldn't take too long for it to happen. I'd say we would know by tomorrow afternoon.

[Grittzkey 1]

In a wierd kinda way, i wouldnt mind getting him on re-entry.. for a few reasons..

anything to get Hartigan,Ellis off the ice. is always a plus. Detroit could be the one stop that rejuvinates his career.

[Flip-check 6]

In a wierd kinda way, i wouldnt mind getting him on re-entry.. for a few reasons..

anything to get Hartigan,Ellis off the ice. is always a plus. Detroit could be the one stop that rejuvinates his career.

What's wrong with Ellis? I haven't watched the games much lately (Hang and/or crucify me, I know), but last I saw him he was doing splendid.

For sentimental and hopeful reasons I'd want to pick up Samsonov ("he could change, Detroit might give him a renaissance, All Is Not Lost"), but I think the peak of his career began and ended at the Palace in Auburn Hills. That's a damn shame too.

[Grittzkey 1]

Theres nothing wrong with ellis, but there isnt anything great about him either. But if you have the oppurtunity to replace him with someone more talented, Why not?

Edited January 2, 2008 by Grittzkey

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

4th liners need to be good grinders, big and tough, with a bit of skill. Samsonov is 5'8, he cant play on the 4th line. (That line isnt very good anyways...)

Why do people want Samsonov so bad? He hasnt been anything since he was with Edmonton, and as sibiriak told us earlier, he has a bad back.