The megatrade is baked! Dmitry Orlov is moving to the Bears!

The general managers of Boston and Washington made a big splash at midnight! They agreed to a trade that featured the long-time icon of the Capitals defense. Other players and four draft positions are also part of the transaction. Minnesota is in on the deal too!

Few expected this. The strengthening of the Bears was about to fall, but there was talk of a completely different defender. According to the latest information, Vladislav Gavrikov from Columbus was headed to Boston, and it was said that they were just waiting for the Bruins to make room under the salary cap. However, events took a rapid turn and everything is different in the end!

The Bears have reached an agreement with the Capitals. In addition to the already mentioned Dmitri Orlov, Garnet Hathaway is also moving to David Pastrnak’s team, and the team from the Original Six also received the rights to Andrey Svetlakov, who works in Russia’s CSKA Moscow.

The price Boston had to pay for this package was also appropriately high. The Capitals received the first round of this year’s draft, the third round of the 2024 draft and the second round of the 2025 draft. Craig Smith also headed to the US capital.

However, the problem was with the salary cap. Although the Capitals retained 50% of their former defenseman’s salary, it still wasn’t enough. So Minnesota offered a helping hand, covering another 25% of the Russian star’s salary. The Wildcats received a fifth-round pick in the 2023 draft for this administrative help.

But back to hockey players. Dmitrij Orlov played in forty-three duels this year, in which he scored nineteen points. So the Bears rightfully expect a lot from this rookie. Garnet Hathaway, who has excellent body proportions, should also play his part. He weighs less than six kilos and with his height you will definitely not miss him on the ice. It should be added that both players are running out of the last year of their contracts. The trefoil of acquisitions going to Boston is completed by the rights to Andrej Svetlakov. He is still signed for another year in the KHL.

In addition to three positions in the draft, Washington received Craig Smith, whose contract is also expiring. In addition, he did not do very well in points this year, and his contract of $3.1 million per season prevented the Bears from strengthening the staff.

So Boston strengthened the already well-trodden squad even more. The performance of the Eastern Conference’s first team speaks volumes. Success must come immediately. That’s why management persuaded their veterans to continue their careers in order to lift the Stanley Cup over their heads one more time. The management is betting everything on one card, because they know very well that it might not work out next season. David Pastrňák’s contract will end, and he will definitely improve his salary. And somewhere, he will simply have to save money in order for the Czech star to remain in the Bruins jersey. A group like the one the Bears have now doesn’t just come together anymore.

The Capitals, on the other hand, got rid of their defensive stalwart in exchange for the future. Although Washington is still fighting in the Metropolitan Division this year to return to positions that ensure elimination fights, the management is very well aware of the need to oxygenate the air. The core of the team is aging and it will be necessary to get young blood to carry Washington again in the future.

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