Washington Capitals: Top 10 best free agents of all-time

#1 Brooks Orpik

In addition to Matt Niskanen, Brian MacLellan added Brooks Orpik to the Washington Capitals defense in his first offseason as General Manager. At six foot three and 217 pounds, Brooks Orpik has made life hell for opposing forwards ever since he was drafted in 2003. He was on the Pittsburgh Penguins 2009 Stanley Cup team and also won a Stanley Cup with the Caps in 2018. In the latter, he was an NHL best plus 17 in 24 games.

Orpik’s deal came on July 1, 2014 and was a five year contract. He was mostly on the second and third defensive pairs during his time with the Caps and became a mentor for Washington’s young blueliners.

Although Orpik wasn’t a goal scorer he did have his moments. Such as the case when he scored the game winning goal in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final. That goal along with Braden Holtby’s save gave the Caps their first win in a Stanley Cup Finals game and they never looked back.

After Washington’s run to the Cup, Orpik was on a wild journey. He got traded to the Colorado Avalanche and then the Avs bought out his contract. The Caps scooped him back up where he played one more season in the NHL before hanging up his skates.