Hurricanes Sign Dmitry Orlov
The Hurricanes are actually spending money! Carolina’s blue line was already stacked and now it’s gotten even better. Dmitry Orlov is signing with the Hurricanes! The term of the deal is a two year agreement that will carry an AAV of $7.75 million. The first major deal of NHL free agency has been struck.
Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet was the first to report the news:
Orlov 2x$7.75M in Carolina
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 1, 2023
It’s not really a surprise that Orlov didn’t re-sign with the Bruins. Don Sweeney talked prior to free agency about how it was unlikely that they had the cap to retain him. The Bruins did bring back Milan Lucic but they appear poised to lose a bunch of pieces including Tyler Bertuzzi and Connor Clifton.
For Carolina, does this mean the team ships out a defenseman? Brett Pesce is a name that could be on the move given all the rumors going on there. Pesce is an unrestricted free agent next season and this Orlov signing provides Carolina insurance if they do indeed move on.
Orlov, 31, posted 36 points in 66 games with Boston. Being part of that historic Boston team from a year ago certainly helped his value. Even better, Orlov will hit the market again at age 33 when the cap goes up in a significant way. Carolina had such a loaded blue line already and it just got better.
Earlier in the day, the Canes brought back both goalies Freddie Andersen and Antti Raanta. Both on contracts that appeared to be team friendly. That left open money for Carolina to make a splash on Orlov.
