You’ve all seen Troy Brouwer’s comments about Alex Semin. Brouwer echoed Matt Bradley, David Steckel, Michal Neuvirth, Pierre McGuire, Marc Crawford, and sarcastic Peter Hassett: Semin is a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re going to get from that enigmatic Sasha Minor.

We’re not here to re-litigate it, even if we have minor quibbles about the substance of his argument.

The fact remains: Semin is back in town, and we all gotta pretend like we’re not emotional basketcases for the next few hours.

It is entirely possible that around around 8:28 pm Alex Semin will rip a filthy wrister over Braden Holtby’s left shoulder. It is entirely possible that his celebration will involve dropping his stick, pointing at Brouwer, and then playing an imaginary djembe. We just have to accept that this may happen.

Like Peter said in June, Semin was a big part of this team. However you choose to characterize that part, it’s true. And tonight the Capitals are going to have to move on– not with words but with  deeds.

So… Ovechkin-Semin open-ice check a la Jagr ? Semin hat trick? Brouwer-Semin fight at opening faceoff? What do you think?

Now please peruse our favorite memories of Alex Semin. You know you want to.