The San Jose Sharks have signed defenseman Dmitry Orlov to a two-year, $13 million contract at a median annual worth (AVV) of $6.5 million.
Orlov is a veteran from Russia who has performed 13 seasons within the NHL. He made his NHL debut within the 2011-12 season with the Washington Capitals, who used a second-round decide on him within the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. He went on to play greater than 10 seasons for the Capitals earlier than he was moved on the 2023 Commerce Deadline to the Boston Bruins. After the Bruins collapsed in opposition to the Florida Panthers within the first spherical of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, he went on to signal a two-year deal with the Carolina Hurricanes.
All through his profession, Orlov has constantly been dependable at each ends of the ice. His 327 factors in 867 video games rank him thirty seventh amongst lively defensemen for many profession factors, and he has a profession plus/minus of +134. Heading into the 2025-26 season, he has registered not less than 20 factors in 10 straight seasons, and he has additionally had a optimistic plus/minus in all 10 of these seasons.
Orlov’s 2024-25 Manufacturing Remained Constant
In 2024-25, Orlov completed the season with six objectives and 22 assists for 28 whole factors in 76 video games. He produced at a 0.36 point-per-game tempo, which is true in step with his profession common of 0.37 factors per sport. Defensively, he was once more extraordinarily dependable, having an on-ice anticipated purpose share proper across the Hurricanes’ league-leading 55.99% anticipated purpose share at five-on-five.
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Within the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Orlov added one other 4 assists to his tally through the Hurricanes’ run to the Jap Convention Remaining. He grew to become one in all Rod Brind’Amour’s most trusted defenders, enjoying over 21 minutes per sport within the playoffs. Going into the 2025-26 season, he will probably be 33 years outdated. Nevertheless, he’s nonetheless greater than able to enjoying powerful minutes in a top-four position, as he averaged 19:60 per sport on the ice final season for the Hurricanes and averages slightly below 20 minutes per sport for his profession.
Orlov Is The Prototypical Defenseman Everybody Seems For
Orlov goes to be a superb match with the Sharks. He’s all the time within the right place defensively, and he understands and excels at leaping up within the rush offensively and can give this group a stabilizing presence on their blue line, one thing they lacked final season.
At 5-foot-11, he could also be barely undersized in at the moment’s NHL, however he’s a powerful 214 kilos, which permits him to return out of puck battles with possession continuously. Along with his reliability at five-on-five, Orlov is a superb power-play quarterback. He is an outstanding passer and was one of many few gamers to register a shot at over 100 mph final season.
Orlov might additionally convey some commerce worth for the Sharks, who proceed to rebuild. Aggressive groups are all the time trying to find these dependable puck-moving defensemen who can contribute offensively. He will probably be an amazing addition to the Sharks’ top-four defensemen and could possibly be a worthwhile piece that groups might pay premiums for at both of the next two commerce deadlines—nice piece of enterprise from the Sharks right here.
