Breaking down the latest trade rumors around Dmitry Orlov
Over the course of the Washington Capitals five game losing streak, more and more fans realized that this team isn’t the one that will get the job done and that the Caps should sell at the trade deadline. The biggest move could come at defense and the biggest name among the rumors is upcoming unrestricted free agent Dmitry Orlov.
NHL insider Chris Johnston of TSN said the Caps have been fielding calls about the defenseman. Especially after talks between the player and team haven’t gone well in regards to a contract extension.
Well, this is a potentially significant development because Orlov’s name has started to emerge in trade chatter. And I think there’s a couple reasons for this. The one that you key on there, the fact they’re sputtering a bit in Washington. Teams are calling general manager Brian MacLellan to see what he’s going to do with his unrestricted free agents. There’s also the fact that the Capitals have been negotiating with Orlov. And I was told by a well-placed source on Tuesday that those talks are nowhere right now, there’s no progress towards a deal. And so I don’t think the Capitals have given up on signing Orlov, I don’t think they’ve committed to being full on sellers, but if they get either a strong offer right now, or he’s unsigned at the end of next week, I think they have a very interesting decision on Orlov.
Tonight’s game against the Anaheim Ducks could determine that decision on Orlov. If the Caps lose and it’s a bad game, maybe a blowout, I could see the defense get blown up starting with Orlov.
He wouldn’t be the only one. Other movable pieces include Nick Jensen, Trevor van Riemsdyk and Erik Gustafsson. I think teams could really benefit from one of those three especially Gustafsson.
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On forwards I was going to say Anthony Mantha but he’s on IR now. Can’t really move someone that’s hurt. One name I’m hearing is Lars Eller. Others I’m hearing are Garnet Hathaway, Conor Sheary or Marcus Johansson. Hang onto Nicolas Aube-Kubel. Do you move Evgeny Kuznetsov? I wouldn’t go that far, yet.