“Ovechkin will not fight Svechnikov now.” Orlov – about the transition to “Carolina” and Russians in the NHL

“No one will know if they called me in Washington”

Were you very nervous when you entered the free agent market? Was it difficult to choose a new team?

“It’s been a stressful month. I didn’t know where I could be – and there were expectations. Thank God it’s over. Now I understand that I will be playing in the “Carolina” for the next two seasons “Good team, that’s why I chose him. I hope two years will be strong. I can’t wait for the new season to start.

– How many offers did you have on the market?

“Actually, not so much. If you look at the market, all contracts are quite short. And the teams don’t have a lot of money under the salary cap. This year, the market is not at all similar to itself.

– Was Washington among the contenders?

“No one will know!” Orlov laughs.

– Did you discuss the contract at length with Carolina?

– It is difficult to describe this process, anyway, I cannot give any details. And there were no long negotiations there. I happened to quickly decide where I wanted to be. The main thing is that I have a new team, I have a contract. And already on Thursday I will go to Carolina. I want to see what and how, get to know the coach and the management. And then I’ll think about when I move in and prepare for the season.

Why is the contract for two years and not four?

– I accepted quickly. Yes, we discussed something, but it was my choice. I decided that for our family this was the most profitable option. The main thing is that I play for a good team. And it’s not far from DC so it’s convenient to get around. Four hours by car and you are already there.

So the timing is not so important?

The more years, the better. But you look at the market and the type of calls coming from the teams. And you have to make a decision quickly. If you don’t agree or wait too long, the other team can’t wait either. They are looking for options with other players, trying to sign them. It’s stress on both sides. And you have to decide quickly where you want to go.

“I’m not attracting Tarasenko to Carolina”

– Can you imagine what kind of role you will have in the Hurricanes?

– We haven’t talked about it yet. First you need to talk to the trainer. Find out what the team plan is, what will happen in training camp. I have never attended a training camp with another club before. Find out what tests, how they do all this. Everyone has different goals and objectives.

What do you think of the Carolina game?

– During the negotiations, of course, I looked at the team and thought that with the composition, where I can play. All the details must be taken into account. Many clubs have good teams, so you have to play hard to keep the team together. If I understood correctly, Carolina has a very nice team. This is very important for success.

We played in the same division – and I’m staying there. The Carolinas play aggressive and demanding hockey. They excel both in attack and defense. I think it will be interesting to participate in the new system.

“Do you know Andrey Svechnikov?”

Yes, yes, we corresponded. Looks like it should arrive soon. We will definitely get closer. We have an agent, there will be no problems. Andrey and I already know each other, everything is going well for us.

– You don’t know where your old friend Vladimir Tarasenko will go? Would you be happy to see him in Carolina?

– Of course, we communicate with Vladimir, and I’m afraid that he is without a contract. We’re friends, and I want him to sign up quickly, making the right decision. But I’m not luring him to Carolina. Yes, I would like to see it. But he has a family, three children. Therefore, he must correctly calculate what is best for the family. And of course he tries to find a good team where he will play and fight for the Stanley Cup.

– How would you rate the period in Boston?

– It’s a shame that we finished the playoffs earlier. We have a very good solid team. So it was very sad to leave so early. If we had passed the first round, everything could have happened differently, and there would have been confidence. We had the chance to fight for the Stanley Cup. Boston broke all regular season records. We were leading Florida 3-1 in the first round. But many different factors happened and we missed the show. So you think there’s a little left, and you’ll pass the first round. But that did not work. I think we were better, but they pulled it off. That’s what happens in the playoffs. Luck is important, any rebound – I won’t name one factor because of which we lost. But Seryoga Bobrovsky performed very well.

“Get out of your comfort zone”

— Every summer you fly to Russia. And now?

“This summer is completely different for me, in every way. Maybe I’ll try to come to Russia. But for now, you need to understand everything about the move, where I’m going to live in Carolina, how we’re going to move with my family. Find a kindergarten for a child. While it’s hard to promise something, saying when I’ll arrive.

“Will you sell Washington’s house?”

– While I’m thinking, we’ll see. We have to go to Carolina first. I will investigate what is there. Then I will make a decision – either leave the house, or rent it, or sell it.

– In the summer you recorded a funny video with Evgeny Kuznetsov, riding a bike together. Where are you lit?

We live in Washington, and it’s pretty boring here. We went out on the ice a few times and then decided to rest. And they found a new hobby – they trained on bicycles. It is very beautiful here, a long cycle path. Both for training and riding in nature, the picture is constantly changing, you see new places.

Zhenya went to Russia and I still train here, I travel. My goal is to run 100 km. I don’t know if this will work.

– Was Kuzya very worried about the rumors that he could be traded from the Capitals?

– Yes, but these are rumors without any details. You don’t know if it will happen or not. Anyone would worry when that happened. I don’t know how Zhenya got into this, his agent communicates with the team. And we hockey players watch it from the outside and read what they write. Of course, it’s stressful. Especially when you have a family, children. Also, the move may not be clear, you cannot choose yourself. There is a list of forbidden commands, but still a lot of unpredictability.

– And what better – getting out of your comfort zone or staying at a club that will be in decline for a few more years?

I think you have to get out of your comfort zone. I saw it from my side. And I’m happy with how the time in Boston has turned out for me personally. There is a sediment for the team result, of course. You think about what could have changed.

I myself did not play in the team during the perestroika period. In my day, Washington was always a Stanley Cup contender. Yes, I played for the weak Metallurg (Novokuznetsk). But I was then 16-17 years old. You just got into big hockey and you see it differently. You learn and gain experience as you improve. It’s a different situation.

“They will still ask me about Ovechkin”

– Is there any question that the NHL will organize the World Cup with the participation of the Russian team?

– Yes, during the silence, there is no discussion. Only interviews sometimes appear, but I have no inside information. To be honest, I don’t know. You can ask, but I don’t think anything has been decided yet. League management will consider what to do next. The decision is not yet ripe.

– For whom did you support in the nomination for the Vezina Trophy (best goaltender in the league) – for Linus Ullmark of Boston or for your compatriot Ilya Sorokin of the Islanders?

To be honest, I didn’t follow it. On the Internet, only news and messages fell. Both are worthy candidates. That’s why they entered the top three nominees. Ilya had a good season, Linus played well and I saw it myself. They both deserved it, but Ullmark won the vote. And Sorokin will still have chances for Vézina.

– Is it a relief for you that you are no longer asked about Ovechkin?

– Yes why? I think they will also ask me about Sasha. When we play against Washington, they will definitely ask us. And in “Carolina” some questions will be asked for sure.

– Imagine the scene: you were on the ice, and Andrei Svechnikov and Ovechkin fought again. Your shares?

“I think that’s probably not going to happen,” Orlov laughs.