It’s time for another edition of NHL rumours for your Thursday. We’re moving towards the March 3 trade deadline and teams have decisions to make. Some general managers are trying to lock down players, but negotiations may force their hands. Team executives don’t want those players to walk away for nothing. The Washington Capitals are going through this in the Dmitry Orlov contract talks. Today’s NHL rumours focuses on those negotiations.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Dmitry Orlov Contract Talks Slow
Rumour: TSN’s Chris Johnston in the latest Insider Trading said talks between the Russian and Capitals have slowed. Johnston said that teams are calling on Orlov and other pending unrestricted free agents. The two sides have had contract extension talks, but nothing has come of those. Orlov currently makes $5.1 million and has a modified no-trade clause.
INSIDER TRADING – #TSNHockey Insiders @DarrenDreger, @PierreVLeBrun & @reporterchris on the Blues among suitors for Meier, Caps/Orlov, Wings' deadline approach, Preds, update on Sens sale and news on potential games in Australia: pic.twitter.com/dpni9xQD6J
— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) February 21, 2023
According to Johnston, Washington hasn’t given up on trying to re-sign Orlov. However, the Capitals struggles have them falling out of the Eastern Conference playoff race. The further Washington falls behind, the more phone calls general manager Brian MacLellan will get.
Can Capitals Get Dmitry Orlov Contract Done?
The Capitals are in a weird place where they aren’t fully out of it, but are struggling to keep pace. The Metropolitan Division is super tough with talented teams like the Carolina Hurricanes, New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers among others. Washington can hang with good teams, but not having Alex Ovechkin has seen it lose three straight.
The Capitals haven’t missed the playoffs since the 2013-14 season. Washington wants to bring back the 31-year-old, but MacLellan might want to start moving assets in order to re-tool. There’s still talent with players like Ovechkin and T.J. Oshie on the roster. However, there are plenty of parts of the roster that are older.
Main photo by: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
