
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Dmitry Orlov and the Capitals have come a long way since late November when his agent said Orlov was done in DC. They have come so far that the young defenseman signed a two-year extension Thursday.
Orlov, who was set to become a restricted free agent this summer, signed a two-year deal for a total of $4 million to stay with the Capitals, a $2 million salary cap hit. Not bad, especially considering their history from earlier this season.
In the early part of the season Orlov wasn't playing, he was sitting in the press box when he wasn't riding the AHL shuttle back and forth from Hershey. He nor his agent were happy.
"Obviously, what Dmitry would like is to be traded," his agent told CSNWashington in November. "Because he has no future in Washington whatsoever, zero chance for him."
Then Orlov started playing and playing pretty well. The Capitals have had issues this season on defense but Orlov hasn't been a blight. Especially given his age of just 22, he has shown plenty of promise.
Now the Capitals have Orlov, John Carlson ($3.96 million) and Karl Alzner ($2.8 million) signed for at least the next two seasons. That's not a bad foundation on defense, especially for the price.
This season Orlov has three goals and six assists in 38 games, averaging 19:31 of ice time.