Entering his eighth NHL season, Orlov had high expectations following a career year in 2017-18. However, the Russian blueliner struggled with defensive consistency, and despite finishing with 29 points, managed just three goals in 82 games. With Matt Niskanen now in Philadelphia, the 28-year-old stands to inherit a more consistent role on the Capitals' second power-play unit, and should he gel with new defense partner Nick Jensen, he has the potential to set new career highs.
The Capitals expected big things when they selected Orlov with 55th pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft and he has certainly met their expectations. Fresh off career highs in goals (10) and ice time (23:08) and reaching the 30-point mark for the second straight season, the Russian has emerged as a reliable and effective top-four defenseman in DC. Orlov and partner Matt Niskanen should continue to garner plenty of minutes at even strength, although they are often deployed as a shutdown pair which limits their offensive upside to some degree. Nonetheless, Orlov is a complete blueliner who should have plenty of value as a depth option in standard leagues.
Orlov has undergone a very slow rise to prominence, but after signing a hefty contract in the offseason, he's primed to be the Caps' No. 1 left defenseman, a job that will surely cause his ice time to rise over 20 minutes (and probably well over) for the first time in his career. There's corresponding fantasy appeal after he recorded 33 points and a plus-30 rating last season, especially considering that we saw his shot total rise by 35 from the year before. His step up into a more premier role could see the 26-year-old record double-digit goals and clear 40 points for the first time in his career, and he’s proven to be a capable contributor in the ancillary categories as well -- his 51 PIM and 122 hits from last year are fantasy-relevant totals in formats that count those stats.
Orlov showed the Capitals a lot last year, as the 2009 second-round pick didn’t miss a regular-season game and set shiny new career marks with eight goals and 29 points – that’s two more goals and almost as many points as he’d managed in his first two years put together. Although those numbers won’t blow anyone’s pants off, they’re stunning from a blueliner who barely averaged 16 minutes of ice time and saw minimal power-play minutes. They would have been even better if he hadn’t staggered to the finish line, though, as Orlov notched just one point in his final 11 regular-season games and then just one point in another 11 playoff contests. As he enters his age-25 season, the Russian blueliner has a chance to win second-pairing minutes away from an aging Brooks Orpik, and any spike in ice time could help him gain fantasy relevance in a hurry.
Despite suffering a broken wrist during the off-season, the future looks bright for Dmitry Orlov. Frustration over lack of playing time almost led to the talented young Russian being shipped out of D.C. last season, but once given a clear role, Orlov proved he belonged in the NHL, even though his modest three goals and 11 points highlight that he still has some development remaining. The wrist injury could be jeopardize the start of his season, but more problematic is the log jam of puck-moving defensemen ahead of him on the depth chart. Orlov looked like a breakout candidate heading into the summer, and although he should be in the lineup regularly for the Capitals, he may have to wait another season before having the opportunity to showcase his top-4 upside.
Orlov bounced between Washington and Hershey (AHL) on what appeared to be a monthly basis last season, appearing in just five games for the Capitals. While getting time in Washington is a sign that Orlov is on the Caps’ advancement radar, it is also indicative of the fact that he remains behind Mike Green and John Carlson on the depth chart. Orlov will be 22 at the start of the season and he remains an asset in keeper leagues but expectations need to be tempered in most other formats.
Another budding talent on the Washington blue line, Orlov one was of the more productive rookie defensemen last season, posting 19 points in 60 games. He is still behind John Carlson and Mike Green in terms of power-play time, but Orlov has definite upside. Remember his name in keeper leagues, as he showed himself to be a promising player last year as a rookie.
Orlov is one of Washington's most prized prospects, but with all of the defensemen vying for spots on the roster coupled with a contract with a few years remaining in the KHL, he is still a few years away from showing his skills in the NHL. Another Russian draft pick who fell into the second round in 2009 due to all the uncertainty of Russians coming to play in North America. For Washington it is not a concern as they have deep connections in Russia. He is an offensive minded blueliner who pushes the attack, but has to grow into his body a bit. Watch for him in the next few years.
