Photo: Evan Vucci

The Washington Capitals have announced that they have signed defenseman Dmitry Orlov to a two-year contract worth an average annual salary of two million dollars.

Orlov will earn $1.75M in 2014-15 and $2.25 in 2015-16.

Orlov has scored three goals and six assists with the Caps this season despite not playing until November 30th. Orlov spent the first two months of the season between Hershey and Washington, where he was kept a healthy scratch to avoid an escape clause in his contract. Since returning to the ice, Orlov has been the team’s strongest possession defenseman.

Following a hit on Brayden Schenn on March 2nd, Orlov was suspended two games— the first suspension of his career.

The Capitals have no restricted free agents left to re-sign this season. Unrestricted free agents Dustin Penner, Mikhail Grabovski, and Jaroslav Halak all have contracts that expire after this season.

From the Capitals:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 13, 2014

Capitals Re-sign Defenseman Dmitry Orlov

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have re-signed defenseman Dmitry Orlov to a two-year contract extension, vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today. Orlov will earn $1.75 million during the 2014-15 season and $2.25 million in 2015-16.

Orlov, 22, has registered nine points (three goals, six assists) and 19 penalty minutes in 38 games with Washington this season. The 5’11”, 211-pound defenseman scored two goals against Philadelphia on March 2 and ranks sixth among Capitals skaters in ice time per game (19:31). In 103 career NHL games with Washington, Orlov has earned 29 points (six goals, 23 assists) and 37 penalty minutes.

Orlov appeared in 11 games with Hershey this season, recording nine points (three goals, six assists) and four penalty minutes. He earned an AHL career-high four points (one goal, three assists) on October 19 at St. John’s. Orlov has registered 44 points (12 goals, 32 assists) and 48 penalty minutes in 76 career AHL games with Hershey.

The Novokuznetsk, Russia, native helped lead Team Russia to a gold medal at the 2011 World Junior Championship in Buffalo, recording nine points (one goal, eight assists) in seven games and was named to the tournament All-Star team. In addition, Orlov represented Team Russia at the 2010 World Junior Championship and was one of Russia’s top three performers at the 2009 Under-18 World Championships. Orlov was drafted by Washington in the second round, 55th overall, in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.