Dmitry Orlov and Garnet Hathaway held out of lineup for trade reasons
The Washington Capitals PR department dropped a news bomb less than two hours before puck drop of the Caps and Anaheim Ducks. They said the team held Dmitry Orlov and Garnet Hathaway out of tonight’s lineup for trade related reasons.
This signifies the Caps are indeed selling at the upcoming trade deadline and for good reason. The team has lost five in a row and they could get some value or draft capital in return. Even if they miss the playoffs this spring, if they do it right they can return to the big dance next spring.
Orlov has a cap hit of $5.1 million. The team could not agree to a contract extension beyond this season, the term being the biggest factor. He was due to be an unrestricted free agent after the season.
Hathaway has a cap hit of $1.5 million and is an unrestricted free agent after the season as well. Orlov has three goals and 16 assists for 19 points. Hathaway has nine goals and seven assists for 16 points.
What was interesting was at morning skate the Caps did not do initial line rushes. They only announced that Anthony Mantha is on IR and that Charlie Lindgren will get the start in goal. They definitely were working through some things in the room and now General Manager Brian MacLellan has something up his sleeve.
The Caps lineup will look different but at least we’ll see the return of Alex Ovechkin as he was away from the Caps due to the death of his father Mikhail. The team will be wearing “Papa Ovi” decals on their helmets for the remainder of the season.
Breaking down the latest trade rumors around Dmitry Orlov. light. Hot
No matter what the Caps do tonight trade wise, the team will be looking for better results on the ice as they’ll look to end this five game losing skid and maybe make one last push for the playoffs. Unless of course the building for next season has begun.