Dmitry Orlov Lands With San Jose Sharks In Free Agency

Dmitry Orlov Lands With San Jose Sharks In Free Agency

The San Jose Sharks made a veteran splash in free agency, signing defenseman Dmitry Orlov to a two-year deal worth $6.5 million per season. It’s a surprising move for a rebuilding team, but Orlov brings experience, physicality, and a steady presence to a young blue line. He must see something in them that others don’t.

While San Jose may not be playoff-ready just yet, adding a proven top-four defenseman signals they’re ready to take a step forward. It’s a short-term deal with long-term influence on their development curve. Elliotte Friedman confirmed that the soon-to-be 34-year-old is taking his talents to the Bay Area:

Dmitry Orlov 2 x$6.5M

San Jose

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 3, 2025

For the second time since 2023, Orlov decided to cash in on a short-term deal. Interesting to do that rather than looking for a major payday. He joined the Hurricanes on a two-year, $15 million deal and now takes a slight pay cut. While not as good of a puck mover as he used to be, he is still a steady hand on the back end. The 2018 Stanley Cup winner will be a great veteran presence for a locker room of young and ascending talent.

With 28 points in 76 games, the Russian probably won’t command major time on the powerplay either. Someone who can hold his own in all three zones and get the puck where it needs to go: on the sticks of the army of talented young forwards on the Sharks. Mike Grier is slowly starting to learn how to be a GM in the NHL. He has not done enough to be able to compete immediately. But adding players like this will help the rebuild:

Dmitry Orlov's best years are behind him but at 34 (turns in July) he can play 20+ minutes per night, solidify the defense, score 25+ points, and bring a $4m Pais Contribution. Also, he can play the right side well. A reliable veteran for TOP-4#TheFutureIsTeal #NHL… https://t.co/xVkPCn17fv pic.twitter.com/izFcSOReHD

— Benchrates (@benchrates) July 3, 2025

More Blood In The Water?

Not sure what else Grier and the Sharks could do this free agency. They still have almost $23 million in cap space, so a run at Nikolaj Ehlers is not out of the question. However, Grier would be best served to take on bad contracts and add more assets. Once their young core starts to put it together and contend, the rising cap should be able to not only keep their own talent locked in but also be in a position to add more. Get bridge deals in place with the young guys and get ready for the new season at this point.

They also added veteran Nick Leddy into the fold, so it’s an eventful day in San Jose on the blueline. It just so happens that they do not have a single NHL defenseman signed for over two years, so Grier will have to find an answer to that sooner or later.

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Dmitry Orlov is a productive veteran who can do well in all three zones. Rather than looking for a ready-made contender, the defenseman is starting a new challenge in San Jose.

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