Since signing with the Hurricanes last July, Alex Semin has been a point-per-game player. (Andy Mead/YCJ/Icon SMI)

By Allan Muir

The ink wasn’t yet dry on Alexander Semin’s brand new five-year, $35 million contract extension with the Hurricanes before social media lit up with snarky comments about the dangerously short memory of Carolina’s general manager, Jim Rutherford.

Sure, the flashy winger has been sensational through the first 30 games of his stint in Raleigh, many said, but this is the same player who forced the Capitals to cut him loose after his final two frustrating seasons in Washington.

Are the Hurricanes taking a risk with this deal? No doubt. But before you suggest that owner Peter Karmanos might want to hide the checkbook before Rutherford does another crazy thing with his money, let me introduce you to these 13 players:

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The Blue Jackets and Hurricanes could end up in the Atlantic. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images)

By Allan Muir

A guide to this morning’s must-read hockey stories:

• So apparently the NHL has dropped the four-conference plan for realignment and has some new ideas on the playoff format. Does it really have to be this difficult, fellas?

• St. Louis GM Doug Armstrong has been spotted at three of Philadelphia’s last four games. Is veteran Danny Briere his target?

• The Flyers revealed Tuesday night that Tye McGinn was out with a broken orbital bone. Now the Simon Gagne trade makes a little more sense.

• The Hobbit could be back on Broadway soon. Mats Zuccarello may rejoin the Rangers after his KHL season is over. He extended it himself yesterday, scoring the game-winning goal for Metallurg Magnitogorsk with four-seconds left on the clock in Game 4 of its playoff series against Salavat Yulaev Ufa.

• The New Jersey Devils have placed Martin Brodeur on IR, proving that he is human after all. Keith Kinkaid has been recalled, highlighting just how diligent this team should be about exploring the market for a young goalie with real NHL potential.

• Instead, the Devils are said to be shopping for a top-six forward, with seldom-used defender Henrik Tallinder as the bait. Can just imagine the crowd trying to beat down Lou Lamoriello’s door to make that one happen.

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