Breaking down the Dmitry Orlov and Garnet Hathaway trade

On Thursday evening just moments before the Washington Capitals took on the Anaheim Ducks, the team traded away a long time defenseman and a short time reliable bottom six forward. They sent Garnet Hathaway and Dmitry Orlov to the Boston Bruins in exchange for a first round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, a second rounder in the 2025 NHL Draft, a third rounder in the 2024 NHL Draft and forward Craig Smith.

Capitals General Manager Brian MacLellan said in a team press release:

"“We would like to thank Dmitry and Garnet for their contributions to our organization. Dmitry has been with our organization for almost 14 years and was a key contributor in helping us win the Stanley Cup in 2018. Garnet has been an important part of our team and a role model off the ice for his contributions to our community. We wish both players all the best with Boston.”"

MacLellan added:

"“This trade allows us to acquire draft capital, infuse youth and restock our system. While this season has proven challenging with injuries to our significant players, we are in a position to use some of our current assets to retool our club and build a competitive team moving forward.”"

The Caps will have six picks in the 2023 NHL Draft including two first rounders and three total picks in the first two rounds. The Caps own their first, second, fourth, fifth, and seventh round picks as well as the Bruins first round pick this year. They own seven sections in 2024 in the first, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh round picks as well as Boston’s third round pick. Then eight selections in 2025.

Smith is 33 years old and has recorded 10 points in 42 games with four goals and six assists with the NHL leading Bruins this season. The six foot, 204 pound forward has reached the 20 goal mark in five of his 12 NHL seasons and has posted a positive plus/minus rating in 10 straight seasons.

In 831 career games with Boston and the Nashville Predators, Smith has recorded 408 points with 195 goals and 213 assists. He is a native of Madison, Wisconsin and was taken by the Predatos in the fourth round at 98th overall in 2009’s NHL Draft.

Orlov finishes his Caps career with 256 career points in 686 career games with the Caps with 60 goals and 196 assists. Orlov won the Stanley Cup with the Caps in 2018 and was drafted by them in the second round at 55th overall in the 2009 NHL Draft. He’s 31 and will always be remembered as a reliable and key defenseman in the Cup run.

Hathaway is also 31 and was a fan favorite in his short time here. He recorded 76 points in 257 games with the Caps with 38 goals and 38 assists. He signed with the Caps back in the summer of 2019 as a free agent. He has registered 116 points in 432 career games with 54 goals and 62 assists with the Capitals and Calgary Flames. Having grown up in Maine, he now gets to suit up for his hometown Bruins.

Best of luck to those guys and we’ll have individual thank you pieces after the Capitals take on the New York Rangers. Stay tuned!