Alexander Semin was drafted 13th overall in the 2002 draft by the Washington Capitals. Montreal’s pick at 14 was Christopher Higgins. The only impactful mainstay in the NHL selected after Higgins in the 1st rd was Cam Ward at 25, so both teams did well with Semin and Higgins.
There’s really only one reason for the signing of Alexander Semin in Montreal, to score goals. As Marc Bergevin stated:
He doesn’t mention Semin as a shot blocker, as a physical player, or as a two-way player.