NHL Rumors: Washington Capitals Aiming to Extend Defenseman

The Washington Capitals are expected to be active buyers at the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline. However, besides adding to their roster, they also are aiming to sign Dmitry Orlov to a contract extension, according to Elliotte Friedman.

Full 32 https://t.co/16RWtRaeOd
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) February 16, 2023

Orlov is in the final year of his contract and has the opportunity to become an unrestricted free agent (UFA) this offseason because of it. Yet, if the Capitals have it their way, they will ink him to a new contract before there's any chance of that occurring. It makes sense that they want to keep him around, as he has been an important part of their top four for years, and that remains the case in 2022-23. In 40 games this season, he has three goals, 19 points, and a plus-8 rating.

When noting that Orlov provides solid offense, brings immense physicality, and plays a very responsible game defensively, the Capitals should do all that they can to keep him around. We will now need to wait and see if an extension comes to fruition from here.