Despite the regular season looming, Capitals defenseman Dmitry Orlov is still not re-signed. Alex Ovechkin spoke to CSN Mid-Atlantic’s Tarik El-Bashir about Orlov’s ongoing contract talks, stating, “I hope [Orlov’s] going to stay.”
Orlov and Ovechkin (along with Evgeny Kuznetsov) are currently playing for Team Russia in the World Cup of Hockey preliminary games. Prior to Wednesday night’s game against Team Canada, Ovechkin shared his thoughts on the contract talks. He speculated that Orlov’s mind was already made up.
“We try to talk to him a little bit, but he has his own mind. He’s a grown man,” Ovechkin said Wednesday at CONSOL Energy Center, where Russia faces Canada in the both teams final World Cup of Hockey tune-up.
“I give him my advice,” Ovechkin said. “I think they know whether they are going to sign or not.”
Ovechkin added that he hoped Orlov would choose to re-sign, citing Orlov’s playing experience and contributions to the team.
“Obviously,” the Capitals’ captain continued, “I want him to stay on our team because he’s a solid player who is not a rookie and has experience.”
“I hope he’s going to stay. We have a pretty good team and he’s a big part of it.”
Kuznetsov revealed that he and Orlov had exchanged questions, and that he also hoped for Orlov’s return.
[adinserter name=”nation-ad”]“We talk a little bit,” Kuznetsov said. “He ask me questions, I give him questions, that kind of talk. I will always [be] happy if he do sign with us. I want him [to]. But that’s his life.”
Failing to re-sign Orlov would be a huge blow for the Caps. Barry Trotz has outlined his plan for the young defenseman for the upcoming season, including an elevated role as a top-four defenseman. Should Orlov re-sign, playing alongside Matt Niskanen could shore up the Caps’ defense as they aim for a deeper playoff run.
