Brooks Orpik 2014-2015 Season Review
Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
The Washington Capitals had a successful season in 2014-2015. Here at Stars and Sticks, we’ll analyze each of the Washington Capitals and their season. Yesterday, we looked at the other former Penguin Matt Niskanen. Today, let’s take a look at the other former Penguin and other guy who the Caps made rich last off-season, Brooks Orpik.
Brooks Orpik’s Spider Charts
CREDIT: @IneffectiveMath
Credit:
2014-2015 Season Review: Brooks Orpik
THE GOOD: Brooks Orpik provided veteran experience to a blue line in desperate need of help. After shuffling through just about every defensemen in the organization last season, the Capitals looked to add a big, physical defensemen, and they did just that with Brooks Orpik. Orpik didn’t score an official goal all season, but he did what he was paid to do: Kick butt and provide stability. Orpik did tally 19 assists this season, his most since the 2009-2010 season.
Brooks Orpik was third in average time on ice for the Capitals blue line, averaging 21:48 per game. He spent the time on ice per game at even strength of any Caps defenseman (17.88 minutes per game) and the most time on the penalty kill as well. Orpik was fifth on the team in DPS (defensive point shares) with 3.9. He was paid to block shots and jack people up. He did that quite well, as he had 192 blocked shots and 306 hits. He was definitely the Caps best penalty killer, mostly due to the sheer amount of time he spent killing penalties.
Editor Dave here! When the Caps signed Brooks Orpik, I’ll admit I was really really down on him. Staff writer Ben wasn’t a fan of the signing either. Here I am eleven months later eating crow. I was impressed with Brooks Orpik. I expected him to be awful, and he wasn’t. He was good. Heck, he had a score adjusted even strength CorsiFor% of 50.50%. I never thought he’d be a positive possession player. Yes, his Corsi relative was negative, but still, his ability to gobble up tough minutes like they were kale made things so much easier for the rest of the blue line. I had a list of things Orpik would need to do to justify his salary each year. He lived up to all of the realistic ones. Great job Orpik. Keep making me look stupid.
THE BAD: I know what you’re thinking, his contract. 5 years worth 27.5 million dollars. For a 34 year old defensemen, that’s a hefty price and a risky contract, but so far, it’s paid off nicely. Brooks Orpik is going to have a larger impact off the ice, in helping these younger defensemen develop under his veteran leadership. He’ll always be overpaid, and that’s fine if he keeps on doing what he’s doing.
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In a tied game, Brooks Orpik’s GA60 was 2.454, higher than when the game was close, 2.389. It was lowest when the Capitals were leading, at 1.577. Brooks Orpik was better to have on the ice when the Capitals had the lead or when the game was close, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
Brooks Orpik contributed pretty much nothing on offense. Then again, Rod Langway didn’t contribute much either. Different eras, I know, but guys like Orpik do have value as long as they are really good defensively. So far, Orpik’s still really good defensively. Who knows how long that will last.
FUTURE OUTLOOK: With his age and his contract, it may not play out the way the Capitals hope, but they have Matt Niskaken for 6 more years. Orpik may not be the highest scoring defenseman on the team, or the fastest skater in the league, but he is doing what he was payed to do, nothing more, nothing less. I hope he can ride out his contract nice and smoothly with no issues and no talks of “buyouts” or “trades” from the fans.
Regarding his age, I think Brooks Orpik is a guy who might be able to stave off age affecting his performance. He keeps himself in extremely good shape and he’s obsessive about staying healthy. He’s even an extremely healthy eater. I still think it’s likely that year five is going to be awful, but I think Orpik has a better chance than most of avoiding regression.
Discussion: How do you think Brooks Orpik did this season? Good or bad? Is he playing up to your expectations? Or has he failed to meet them entirely? Is Brooks Orpik eating kale right now?
Next: Top Ten Defensemen In Capitals History