The Boston Bruins have acquired defenseman Dmitry Orlov and forward Garnet Hathaway from the Washington Capitals in exchange for Bruins forward Craig Smith and draft picks, the teams announced Thursday. Here’s what you need to know:
- Washington acquired a 2023 first-round pick, 2025 second-round pick and a 2024 third-round pick and will retain 50 percent of Orlov’s salary as part of the trade.
- Orlov, 31, was in his 11th season with the Capitals. He’s recorded 256 points (60 goals and 196 assists) through 686 career games with the team.
- Hathaway, who joined Washington in 2019 after four seasons with Calgary, has scored nine goals and added seven assists through 59 games this season.
- The Bruins (43-8-5) lead the Atlantic Division while the Capitals (28-25-6) sit sixth in the Metropolitan Division.
NEWS | The Washington Capitals have acquired a 2023 first-round pick, 2025 second-round pick, 2024 third-round pick and forward Craig Smith from the Boston Bruins in exchange for defenseman Dmitry Orlov and forward Garnet Hathaway.
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 23, 2023
The Athletic’s instant analysis:
What Orlov, Hathaway bring to Bruins
Adding Orlov gives the Bruins depth on the left side of their defense. He joins Hampus Lindholm, Matt Grzelcyk and Derek Forbort. Grzelcyk could move to the right side in case of injuries to Charlie McAvoy, Brandon Carlo or Connor Clifton.
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Hathaway, meanwhile, adds bite and straight-line speed. Stylistically, Hathaway (198 hits) is a better bottom-six fit on the right wing than Smith, who hit the offensive wall this season. He is also a right shot, which is a commodity the Bruins are lacking. Jake DeBrusk and Nick Foligno, both lefties, have been playing their off wings. — Shinzawa
GO DEEPER
Why did Bruins trade for Dmitry Orlov with an already full left side on defense?
How to evaluate Caps’ trade
After losing five straight games — all in regulation — to fall out of the playoff picture, Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan has decided to become a seller at the trade deadline for the first time in his nine-year tenure. The plan is not a tear-it-down rebuild; that won’t happen as long as Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom are on the roster. The goal is to flip veterans on expiring contracts for draft capital/prospects/young players in an effort to kickstart a retool.
There are eight unrestricted free agents on the Caps’ roster after Orlov and Hathaway were dealt away. Expect additional deals to be consummated in the coming days. — El-Bashir
What they’re saying
MacLellan thanked Orlov and Hathaway “for their contributions to our organization.”
“Dmitry has been with our organization for almost 14 years and was a key contributor in helping us win the Stanley Cup in 2018,” MacLellan said in a statement. “Garnet has been an important part of our team and a role model off the ice for his contributions to our community. We wish both players all the best with Boston.
“This trade allows us to acquire draft capital, infuse youth and restock our system. While this season has proven challenging with injuries to our significant players, we are in a position to use some of our current assets to retool our club and build a competitive team moving forward.”
Required reading
(Photo: Jamie Sabau / USA Today)
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