According to several reports, two-time Stanley Cup champion Brooks Orpik will likely never play a game for the Colorado Avalanche.

The Avs took on Orpik’s $5.5 million salary as part of a deal to land Philipp Grubauer from the Washington Capitals. Orpik will either be traded or bought out.

COL is going to see if it can help Orpik land in a preferred spot. Whether it is a trade or a buyout, they are prepared to facilitate. By including him in the deal, they only had to give up one pick.

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 22, 2018

The Avs intend to either trade Orpik and if they can't find a trade partner, they will probably buy him out… Colorado has already spoken to Grubauer's agent as well. He's RFA. Contract shouldn't be an issue. https://t.co/t9RaWfCbU6

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) June 22, 2018

Orpik, a former part of the Capitals leadership committee, is 37-year-old, third-paring defenseman and going into the last year of a five-year deal, 27.5 million deal.

If the Avalanche decide to buy the veteran defenseman out, they’ll face cap hits of $2.5 million in 2018-19 and $1.5 million in 2019-20.

Update 10pm: Greg Wyshynski confirmed the report after speaking to Avalanche General Manager Joe Sakic.

Sakic talked to Brooks Orpik today after the trade. Told him he’ll be moved or bought out. “We have a young group,” he said, indicating that Orpik didn’t fit into plans. #NHLDraft

— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) June 23, 2018

Read more: Capitals trade Philipp Grubauer and Brooks Orpik to Avalanche for a second-round pick
Report: Capitals took a worse draft pick so Philipp Grubauer would play in Western Conference

Headline photo: Cara Bahniuk