The contract
Dmitry Orlov signs two-year, $7.75 million deal with Hurricanes.
Dom Luszczyszyn: There are a lot of teams out there that need exactly someone like Dmitry Orlov: a defender who can hit every zone and handle difficult minutes. Carolina — a team whose top 4 already includes Jaccob Slavin, Brent Burns, Brett Pesce and Brady Skjei — appeared to be a team near the bottom of that list. Sometimes the best thing is to continue building on a strength. The Hurricanes are going to have a top-notch defender on the ice at all times, and that’s a big deal. Just attracting good players is generally a solid strategy. Worry about the balance later.
On the other hand, it also gives Carolina the flexibility to move one of those players to address an area of need. And flexibility is obviously crucial for the organization as a whole, considering Orlov has only signed for two years. It signals that Carolina is willing to move and adjust whenever necessary – hurricanes never get stuck and that’s how an organization should be run. The two-year tenure works really well for Orlov, who can start making money again afterwards, but it’s even better for Carolina, who can leave the problem to someone else.
The team has slacked off a bit on salary here at $7.75 million (I’d rather choose Orlov over a $6 million defender), but that’s probably okay considering how much leeway the team has for the ceiling. It’s better to overpay for someone who makes the difference than for a substitute, and Carolina always puts the team in a strong position to do just that.
And make no mistake: Orlov makes the difference. He doesn’t have to be in top power play minutes to provide great value. He’s one of the strongest players in the backend and that’s because of his skill with the puck on his racquet. According to data collected by Corey Sznajder, Orlov is among the elite with a capital E in many categories. Creating chances with his passes, leading the rush, entering the zone, retrieving pucks, getting the puck safely out of his own zone – Orlov is fantastic. He’s a bit more insecure off the puck, especially when it comes to defending the rush, but that’s okay considering what he brings to the table with the puck.
Orlov is a real top defender and the only one available on the market. The Hurricanes may not need him and he may have cost a bit much, but those aren’t real problems for one of the best-managed clubs in the league.
contract class: B
fit grade: B-
Shayna Goldman: Few teams have a defensive core as strong as the Hurricanes, and somehow they just made it better by signing the best fullback available in free agency. Orlov brings versatility to the Hurricanes’ blue line. He can be counted on to put up big defensive minutes when needed, which was a big part of his role in Washington. And in a brief rehearsal with the Bruins, he showed just how dynamic he can be when his role gets a little more open. He’s an excellent puck player who can break out of his own zone in control, move up the ice and be a reliable playmaker – that was the case before Boston, even if he didn’t score the goals to do it.
The Hurricanes appeared primed to make a move in defense as two contracts for their second pair expire in 2024 (and this suggests it could spell the end for one of them in Carolina). There have been rumors of a Tony DeAngelo reunion, but this is a superior option if management chooses one or the other rather than adding both. Orlov’s contract obviously has a higher cap, but it certainly adds a lot more value considering he can be trusted in any role. Here it is probably the second pair behind Slavin on the depth chart. His presence will allow this second pair to continue splitting minutes against top competition and he can add some momentum to what is likely to be a second power play session, with Brent Burns likely to continue serving as quarterback PP1.
The fit is clear – it’s less of a need and more of a luxury for a team entrenched in the position. The contract is a little more intriguing. Orlov appeared to be waiting for a term, but that’s a little risky for a 31-year-old. So the Hurricanes bid more each season but kept him limited to two years. It’s a bit pricey, but the team has a lot of cap wiggle room at the moment (the cost will increase next year when the cap is expected to increase). But the fact that he won’t spoil their image in the long run is absolutely a win.
The Hurricanes have one of the best systems in the league, allowing most players to jump in and thrive. While the two-year tenure is the best given the aging curves, this seems to be one of the few teams that could probably have maxed it out a bit longer. On the other hand, they’re one of the best at swapping players within their system, so the Canes really don’t need to sign long-term deals with defenders outside of their core.
contract class: B
fit grade: B+
(Photo: Winslow Townson / USA Today)