DALLAS — Friday night, Washington Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan met with the media after the first round of the NHL Draft concluded.
MacLellan addressed the trade that saw the Caps send Philipp Grubauer and Brooks Orpik to the Colorado Avalanche for a second-round pick and would allow John Carlson’s imminent massive payday.
“Tough trading Brooks Orpik for what he’s done for the organization,” MacLellan said. “He’s been a big part of our culture change and a big part of the room and how we go about things. It’s hard to do, but we had to create some room to sign some players.”
Orpik is going into the final year of a five-year deal, $27.5 million contract.
MacLellan also cracked the door open for a potential return of Orpik. Colorado Avalanche GM Joe Sakic said that the team has no desire to keep Orpik and would move him to another team or buy him out.
“I think it’s legal!” MacLellan joked, if the Caps could re-sign a bought-out Brooks Orpik. “We’re open to that depending on how much room and salary it would take.”
Headline photo: Chris Gordon
