Photo: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
The Washington Capitals announced on Thursday night that they have acquired 2023 first-, 2025 second-, and 2024 third-round picks, and right-wing Craig Smith from the Boston Bruins in exchange for pending unrestricted free agent right-wing Garnet Hathaway and defenseman Dmitry Orlov.
Washington retained 50% ($2.55 million) of Orlov’s cap hit while the Minnesota Wild got a fifth-round pick for eating 25% ($1.275 million) of it. Minnesota sent forward Andrei Svetlakov to Boston.
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
“We would like to thank Dmitry and Garnet for their contributions to our organization,” said GM Brian MacLellan in a press release. “Dmitry has been with our organization for almost 14 years and was a key contributor in helping us win the Stanley Cup in 2018. 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.”
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 reportedly struggled to come to terms on a contract extension before the trade.
Hathaway, who comes with a $1.75 million NHL salary cap charge, has tallied nine goals and 16 points in 59 games this season.
#Caps now have six picks in the 2023 NHL Draft, including two first-round picks and three total picks in the first two rounds. Washington owns their first, second, fourth, fifth and seventh-round picks, as well as Boston’s first round-pick in 2023. https://t.co/dupTLGUU2I
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) February 23, 2023
Washington, who entered Thursday as losers of five straight in regulation, is two points back of the Florida Panthers for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference with a game in hand.
Hathaway and Orlov were set to be scratched for Thursday’s game against the Anaheim Ducks (7 PM ET, NBC Sports Washington in-market, ESPN+ out-of-market) due to “trade-related reasons.”
Boston leads the NHL with a 43-8-5 record this season, seven points better than anyone else.
The Capitals visit Boston on Tuesday, April 11.
Smith, who can become an unrestricted free agent after this season, has just four goals and 10 points in 42 games. The 33-year-old carries a cap charge of $3.1 million.
Orlov and Hathaway could make their Boston debuts on Saturday at the Vancouver Canucks.
By Harrison Brown