NHL Free Agency 2012: Alexander Semin To Test Market, Says Agent

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 13: Alexander Semin #28 of the Washington Capitals scores the game winning goal at 18:24 of overtime against the New York Rangers in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Verizon Center on April 13, 2011 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Unhappy with his role in Washington, Alexander Semin will test free agency this summer, according to his agent.

Alexander Semin hasn't been happy with his role as a member of the Washington Capitals, and it appears as though his time in D.C. may be over. Semin's agent Mark Gandler told ESPN's Craig Custance late Monday that the 28-year-old forward will become a free agent on July 1.

The money quote from Gandler? Via Custance:

"It was good while it lasted. With the lack of playoff success, with the direction they are going. They decided to change directions. That's within their rights. Alex doesn't fit into that system obviously," Gandler told ESPN the Magazine. "It just doesn't make any sense to him. He plays, he did the best he could under the circumstances and he earned his right to be a free agent."

Yep, that certainly sounds like an unhappy player. Capitals blog Russian Machine Never Breaks spoke with Semin at length Monday at their practice facility, and Semin never made any indication that his time in Washington was ready to come to an abrupt halt. But given these quotes from his agent, it doesn't seem like Semin will ever wear Caps red and white again.

While it may make sense that Semin would bolt to the KHL, especially given the recent tweak in KHL rules designed to lure players just like Semin back to play in Russia, Gandler said that Semin's focus is on remaining in the NHL.

Semin was on a one-year deal worth $6.7 million during the 2011-12 season.