THURSDAY “Boston Bruins” obtained Dmitry Orlov and forward Garnet Hathaway, “Washington” acquired forward Craig Smith, along with three draft picks: first-round in 2023, second-round in 2025, and third-round in 2024. Additionally, the Capitals received “Minnesota” rights to the Russian striker CSKA Andrei Svetlakov and later these rights were transferred to Boston.
Minnesota itself received a fifth-round pick in 2023 for keeping 25% of Orlov’s salary, who receives $5.1 million, or $1.275 million. Boston will pay the same amount and Washington retains payment of 50% of Orlov’s salary.
We discussed the topic of the week with the Russian player’s agent, Mark Gandler.
“Getting Orlov was Boston’s No. 1 goal”
– Mark, how do you assess the exchange of Dmitry Orlov from Washington to Boston? After all, you’ve been negotiating with the Capitals for a new contract for over a day.
– It is not in my principles to comment on the negotiations themselves. But we have one simple thing here – Washington, starting from next season, is unable to pay Dima the money that corresponds to his level.
It was the only right move for the Capitals, which turned out to be the right one for Dmitry. The club received three draft picks, rearming for the future. Dmitry had the chance to win the Stanley Cup on a very good team.
– How did the opportunity to trade with Boston arise?
– The Bruins were not among the clubs included in the list we indicated, where Dmitry cannot be traded. Washington made a triple trade, including Minnesota, and notified the player. As is usually the case.
– You said that Orlov was shocked by this news.
– The shock is that since the age of 18, he belonged to the organization of the Capitals. His whole hockey life was linked to Washington. He lives in the capital, with these guys, he won the Stanley Cup, and so there was a shock.
Yes, Dmitry was ready for the exchange to take place on Thursday. But it’s one thing to be ready, and another thing when you suddenly realize it, and the long-term connection to where you’ve been for so long is severed.
And of course, he is happy to have a very good chance of winning the Stanley Cup. The Boston general manager and the entire Bruins organization are very happy to have been able to acquire Dima. It was their number one goal.
Now they have succeeded, but with heavy losses. But those losses won’t be too painful if the team wins the Stanley Cup.
“The Bruins have a good defense even without Orlov, but now it will improve a lot”
– It’s convenient that Boston is not far from Washington, for driving along the coast.
“It’s not that easy because the Bruins’ next game is Saturday in Vancouver. And before that, the team played in Seattle.
And the fact that Boston is not far – his wife with a small child will not go there for an eight-hour drive. You still have to fly, it’s about an hour. But even if you spend two hours in the air, it doesn’t play a huge role.
– Explain why Boston is so strong this season. The team could rewrite the NHL’s all-time winning and scoring records. What is their secret ?
– They play this way due to the fact that all of their voices are very strong. They have four offensive triples that play very well. Obviously, there is a main link. But without this, a successful club cannot exist.
Clearly they have superstars. There are various actors who together form a whole. They have a good defense even without Dmitry, but now it will improve considerably. And the goalkeeper is playing well. All of that combined makes Boston a contender for the Stanley Cup.
But it’s one thing to be a competitor, and another to win a cup. It’s been proven time and time again that winning the President Cup by being the best in the regular season is much easier than winning the playoffs.
“There is nothing to prevent Dima from being friends with Ovechkin, playing in different teams”
– Are you and Orlov betting on July 1 when he can become an unrestricted free agent?
“I don’t want to say anything in advance. Each contract is heavy and only seems easy when it is already signed. But each time with him, you seem to give a part of yourself because of the difficult negotiations.
How it will turn out this time, I can’t predict. But I know that everything will end as Dmitry wants.
– As one of the options, Orlov as an unrestricted free agent can return to Washington. Is this real? Or are the Capitals already a page turned?
Breaking up is always hard. But these guys are professionals. They must do what they signed up for. The player’s career is not easy. On one side you have fame, world fame. But on the other hand, you have serious movement restrictions. We tell you: what, how and where. And when you have signed a contract, you belong to this organization. As a professional, you have to see these things more simply.
– But it seemed that Orlov resembled the younger brother of Alexander Ovechkin.
– The fact that they ended up in different teams does not mean that they will not communicate, make friends and spend time together. They will find a way to do it.
As for the Washingtons, I think it’s almost impossible for the Capitals to sign Orlov after his contract expires. The main reason Dmitry was traded is because the Washingtons are unable to pay Dima that money when the team needs a restructure. I don’t think that will happen.
– Did the duration of the contract affect it? Basically, “Washington” offered three years, and Orlov wanted six years.
– The length of the contract is the main issue in the negotiations for the hockey player, who is around 30 years old. The duration is the most important element of the contract.
– And the future of the Capitals is with guys like Ivan Miroshnichenko.
“It is most likely the case. But do not forget that there is also Alexander Ovechkin. And he hasn’t said his last word yet. It will still rumble around the world for the next two years. And it should not be written off under any circumstances. He proves it every year.
– It is not a fact that Ovechkin will not sign a new contract with Washington in 2026.
– It’s not as important as the fact that Ovechkin is very productive every year of his current contract. There is everything for Alexander to continue to play well, to be in a good mood, and everything would be fine for him. There are no prerequisites for believing that everything will be different. And what will happen after 2026 is hard to guess now.
– Let Ovechkin pass the baton to Miroshnichenko, as Mario Lemieux passed it to Sidney Crosby.
Yes, it will be very interesting.
Source : MatchTV
I’m Emma Smith, a dedicated journalist and avid storyteller. I have been writing for news websites for the past 5 years, reporting on hockey news and delivering in-depth analysis of the sport. In my current role as Author at Athletistic, I write about hockey events from around the world to keep followers up-to-date with what’s happening in the sport.
