The Washington Capitals traded right-wing Garnet Hathaway and defenseman Dmitry Orlov to the Boston Bruins draft picks and right-wing Craig Smith in addition to draft picks just prior to puck drop against the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday. The 31-year-olds can both become unrestricted free agents on July 1. There is double retention on Orlov’s cap hit in the trade.
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.
Washington, who entered Thursday as losers of five straight in regulation, were 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 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.
The two could make their Boston debuts on Saturday at the Vancouver Canucks.
**Breaking News** 🚨 📰
I’m told the @Capitals are trading D Orlov and F Hathaway to @NHLBruins for Picks , Money and players from their roster. @NHL @espn @NHLNetwork @TSNHockey @DKSportsbook #HockeyTwitter pic.twitter.com/WsTJvzRAKg— Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) February 23, 2023
By Harrison Brown
I hope the return is a good one. Boston’s 1st and a prospect would be fair with us retaining half on both salaries would be my guess.
What was the return?
Craig Smith, 2023 1st, 2025 2nd, 2024 3rd
Minnesota was a third team on this, they get a 4th, not sure whose, for eating salary
Craig Smith and…….?
The rest is a mystery, as of noe
hate seeing them both go, but they’re good assets to bring something in return.
B’s going to get stronger for a Cup run, it seems. And since Garny was a Brown University guy, they’ll love him in New England….wonder if they’ll be rentals or if they have designs on keeping one or both of them?
Great trades for 2 UFA that they probably could not afford to resign. Getting a !st round,2ne round and 3rd round pick for them was good and Smith is a UFA after this year and at $3.1m a year not going to be resigned. So who next: Jensen, TVR, Eller or maybe Kuemper? Maybe Smith gets turned around and is also gone.
Now to just get rid of the HC and most of the coaching staff and the Gm and most of his staff.
Could we afford them if we traded Backy even if we kept some of the salary (9.2/year)? I think that’s possible.
We need to get rid of a center so we trade a vital winger and defenseman. Makes complete sense.