Per insider Pierre LeBrun, Dmitri Orlov is heading to San Jose. He has signed a 2 year $6.5 million annual contract with the Sharks for a total of $13 million over the course of the deal.
The 33 year old defenseman was one of the last major pieces left on the market. He recorded 6 goals and 22 assists for 28 points in 76 games with the Hurricanes this past season as they lose yet another key dman after Brent Burns. In the playoffs, he amassed 4 assists in 15 games for the club. During his 2 year stint with the Canes, Orlov recorded 12 goals and 42 assists for 54 points in 158 games.
Over the length of his 13 year tenure, Orlov has produced 76 goals and 251 assists for 327 points in 867 career games. In addition, he has totaled 4 goals and 37 assists for 41 points in 107 career postseason games.
Orlov will provide much needed depth and ice time to a Sharks blueline that desperately needs it. This is not the only move that the rebuilding Sharks have made to stabilize their D as they also signed John Klingberg yesterday. The Russian defenseman will be expected to play top pair minutes and provide veteran guidance to a young up and coming roster in need of it. He is a guy who can slot into the lineup seamlessly while the youth develop. The signing also helps the Sharks get to the cap floor as no team going into free agency had more salary space than them.
