RED FISHER.

Seems to me it's about time people stopped twisting themselves out of shape over Alexander Semin's recent criticism of Sidney Crosby.

If you missed it, what the Washington Capitals sniper had to say to a Russian reporter was in the form of a question:

"What's so special about Crosby? I don't see anything special there. Yes, he does skate well, has a good head, a good pass. But there's nothing else. Even if you compare him to Patrick Kane from Chicago, Kane is a much more interesting player. The way he moves, his deking abilities, his thinking on the ice and his anticipation of the play is so superb.

"I think that if you take any player, even if he is 'dead wood,' and start promoting him, you'll get a star," Semin added. "Especially if he scores 100 points. No one is going to care about anyone else. No one is going to care whether he possesses great skill.

"Let's say you put someone in front of the net and let him deflect pucks in, and he scores 50 goals, everyone will say 'Wow!' and then hand him a $10-million-per-year contract."

Should anybody really care what Semin says about Crosby, particularly since the Pittsburgh captain has made it abundantly clear the Capitals' star is entitled to his opinion?

At the very least, give Semin credit for saying it like he thinks it is - unlike most of the NHLers who have been programmed not to rock the boat.