Veteran defenseman Dmitry Orlov is making his way to the San Jose Sharks, a team that has been quite active during the NHL free agency period. The Sharks recently made a significant pickup off the waiver wire, helping them meet the league`s required salary floor.
Orlov, who is set to turn 34 later this month, has signed a two-year deal valued at $13 million. A Stanley Cup champion from his previous tenure and a player for Carolina over the last two seasons, the seasoned blueliner will carry a $6.5 million annual cap hit through the 2026-27 season.
Orlov`s signing is the latest in a series of moves for the Sharks, who needed to add approximately $20 million in salary commitments to reach the $70.6 million minimum threshold. This figure includes the salary owed to captain Logan Couture, whose playing career has unfortunately concluded due to a severe injury.
San Jose also bolstered its defensive corps by claiming Nick Leddy off waivers from St. Louis. Leddy joins a revamped blue line that also features veteran John Klingberg, who recently signed a one-year deal worth $4 million for the upcoming season.
Comments from Management:
“Klingberg was someone we had targeted for quite a while,” commented General Manager Mike Grier earlier in the week. “We need someone who can effectively run a power play. We believe that as he continues to recover from his hip surgery and puts another year behind it, he will be even better.”
Nick Leddy has one year remaining on his contract, carrying a $4 million cap hit ($3 million in actual dollars). Notably, Orlov is the only experienced defenseman the Sharks have under contract beyond the 2026 season.
Orlov`s former teammate, Brent Burns, also found a new home, signing with Colorado on Wednesday night. His contract is for one year, worth $1 million, with the potential to earn up to an additional $3 million through performance-based bonuses.
Grier indicated that, given the Sharks` strategic focus on developing young players and the ongoing rebuilding process, he did not anticipate pursuing top-tier free agents with hefty price tags this summer. Despite the market being open for 72 hours since noon ET on Tuesday, one of the prominent available players, Danish winger Nikolaj Ehlers, still remains unsigned.
During the last season with the Hurricanes, Orlov contributed 6 goals and 22 assists. Over the course of his NHL career, the veteran defenseman has accumulated 327 points (76 goals, 251 assists) across 867 games.
The 33-year-old also brings considerable playoff experience to San Jose, having participated in the postseason every year since 2015-16. In 107 playoff contests, he has registered 4 goals and added 37 assists.
Last season, San Jose finished at the bottom of the NHL standings, posting a record of 20-50-12 for a total of 52 points. This placed them nine points behind the 31st-ranked Chicago Blackhawks.
Beyond their activity in free agency, the Sharks also acquired goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic via a trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Earlier in the offseason, San Jose made a key addition through the NHL Draft, selecting forward Michael Misa with the second overall pick.
Duncan Priestley