According to Tarik El-Bashir and Isabelle Khurshudyan, veteran defenseman Brooks Orpik was one of nine Caps players who failed the team’s initial skate test during the first day of training camp. Orpik could not beat the required skate times of 38, 41, and 41 seconds.
Other notable players who failed the test on Friday include Brett Connolly, Jakub Vrana, Garrett Pilon, and Jonas Siegenthaler.
Appears Siegenthaler, Orpik, Connolly and Vrana are among a group of 9 players retaking the conditioning test before practice this am.
— Tarik El-Bashir⌨️🎙🏒 (@TarikNBCS) September 24, 2016
Looks like mine guys are redoing their skate test this morning.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) September 24, 2016
The good news is that all nine players passed the test today.
Appears that all nine skaters passed their redo of the skate test.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) September 24, 2016
Orpik has never been known as a great skater, even before the Caps signed him to a big deal in 2014. The failed skating test comes several months after Orpik struggled during the Caps’ playoff run. Over the summer, Head Coach Barry Trotz hinted that Orpik could be dropped to the team’s third pairing this season, offering a promotion to Dmitry Orlov into the top four through the media.
On Monday, Orpik will turn age 36. He has three more seasons remaining on his five-year, $27.5 contract.
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