Long-time NHL winger Alexander Semin has decided to soon hang up his skates, as the VHL in Russia announced that he’ll be retiring after playing in an All-Star game next month. The 38-year-old had 517 points in 650 career NHL games over parts of 11 seasons, the last of which came in 2015-16 with Montreal who terminated his deal midseason. Since then, the 38-year-old has played in Russia and had 19 points in 40 games with Vityaz Podolsk this season. Semin will now begin his front office career as he has been named an advisor to Sokol Krasnoyarsk of the VHL.
Elsewhere around the hockey world:
- Canadiens defenseman Otto Leskinen has signed a two-year deal with Frolunda, the SHL team announced. The 25-year-old opted to return overseas this season, signing with Jokerit in the KHL but left when the team suspended operations, signing with Tappara for the stretch run. He’ll now try his hand in Sweden where he’ll effectively take the place of another Montreal prospect in Mattias Norlinder with Frolunda. The Canadiens will retain Leskinen’s RFA rights through 2024 which is when his deal in Sweden expires so if he wants to try his hand again in North America at that time, he’ll be an unrestricted free agent.
- Avalanche winger Andreas Wingerli is expected to return to Skelleftea of the SHL next season, reports Expressen’s Johan Svensson. Colorado signed the 24-year-old last June with an eye on giving him a chance to push for a spot at the back of the roster or play an impact role in the minors. Neither really happened as Wingerli had just 22 points in 64 games with AHL Colorado this season, a performance that won’t have him pushing for an NHL spot next season. The Avs can retain Wingerli’s NHL rights with a qualifying offer this summer.