According to The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun, the Washington Capitals will scratch defenseman Dmitry Orlov and right-wing Garnet Hathaway vs. the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday (7 PM ET, NBC Sports Washington in-market, ESPN+ out-of-market) for “trade-related reasons.” The 31-year-olds can become both unrestricted free agents on July 1.
#Caps defenseman Dmitry Orlov and forward Garnet Hathaway are being held out from tonight’s game versus Anaheim for trade-related reasons.
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) February 23, 2023
Orlov has earned three goals, 19 points, a +2 rating, 51.45% five-on-five Corsi-for percentage, 50.83% five-on-five expected goals-for percentage, and 50.13% five-on-five scoring chances-for percentage in 43 games this season. He carries a $5.1 million cap hit.
Washington and Orlov have reportedly struggled to come to terms on a contract extension.
Defenseman John Carlson is the only Washington blueliner with a contract for next season.
Hathaway, who comes with a $1.75 million NHL salary cap charge, has tallied nine goals and 16 points in 59 games.
The 2023 NHL Trade Deadline is in one week from Friday at 3 PM ET.
Washington, who has lost five straight in regulation, enters Thursday’s game two points back of the Florida Panthers for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference with a game in hand.
Pending unrestricted free agent center Lars Eller, left-wing Conor Sheary, left-wing Marcus Johansson, in addition defensemen Erik Gustafsson, Trevor Van Riemsdyk, and Nick Jensen are all expected to suit up on Thursday. Washington has four more games until the NHL trade deadline.
By Harrison Brown