The Washington Capitals moved Brooks Orpik earlier this offseason in order to clear enough cap space to re-sign John Carlson. Orpik was carrying a $5.5MM cap hit, so the team attached him to Philipp Grubauer in a trade with the Colorado Avalanche, only to see him bought out by the acquiring team immediately. Now, after the team re-signed both Carlson and Michal Kempny, they’re considering bringing back the 37-year old Orpik as well on a lower salary. GM Brian MacLellan told reporters including Isabelle Khurshudyan of the Washington Post as much today as the team introduced new head coach Todd Reirden.
The Avalanche were clear when they acquired Orpik that they did it just to lower the price tag on Grubauer, a potential starting goaltender that cost them just a second-round pick. Colorado will be paying the 37-year old defenseman $4MM split over the next two years to not play for them, giving him plenty of incentive to return to the place where he just won a Stanley Cup on a very cheap deal. If Washington does bring back the veteran defenseman, it would likely be at a near-minimum contract given their relatively little cap space and need to still sign Tom Wilson and Madison Bowey as restricted free agents.
Orpik’s play has deteriorated in recent seasons, but he played well in the playoffs for the Capitals and could still be a valuable veteran option for the bottom pairing. With young players like Christian Djoos ready to take on a bigger role, bringing in someone like Orpik as a part-time player may make a lot of sense. Obviously if there are any other teams involved—and it sounds like there is at least mild interest from a few—Orpik could instead go somewhere he’s expected to play every game. If he can’t find that, or if he just wants to go back where he won his latest Stanley Cup, the Capitals seem like they’d be more than willing.
Must feel weird being in the dressing room for the team that traded you away because you were underperforming for the dollar.
Only to still put the jersey on again and collect a paycheque significantly less than your buddies knew you were earning.
But he is still earning that old salary plus the new one.. He earned that money but helping them win the cup. His experience coming from Pitt am sure helped during the run. A calming presence is what the Bruins needed and lost with Recchi
If this happens he just got a paid in advance but hey why not see if you can a lot more from somebody else? Capitals could just move on from him if the youngsters play good & why be stuck playing on a lesser deal somewhere else?