love this team

Orlov leads returning Capitals defensemen in XGF% and SHTOI, and he's gotten at least 29 even strength points in four straight years. Brodin's career high is 19 ESP, and he apparently played second PK behind Suter and Spurgeon, just by ATOI. I looked up Suter, and he outscored Orlov at even strength in one of the last four years, and is 34, so even with retention, Orlov isn't getting traded for Suter, because Orlov is good enough on defense, and consistently better at offense. Orlov to Minnesota would involve Zucker or Dumba. Preferably Zucker, because the Caps are pretty set at right defense, with Carlson, Gudas, Jensen, and Lewington, and Dumba's recent injury history would be a worry.


Pettersson is a valuable player to a rebuilding team because he's an average defenseman at 23, but Djoos is an average defenseman at 25, signed cheaply, and that's more valuable to a team that's all-in. SImon and Boyd are right wings with the same points/game Boyd kills 0:34 of penalties a night, is a hair less awful at faceoffs than Simon, and had a 64 point season in the AHL before he came up and won a Cup. I think the Caps should pass on this deal unless it's with an explicit plan to let Pettersson hold out until cap space develops. In that case, it's a way to still have someone as good as Djoos for the playoffs, without having Djoos count against the cap in the fall. But I think Pittsburgh can do that math, too, and probably doesn't go for a one for one, unless Djoos' low cap hit is exactly what they need to start the season?

Why trade Orlov? I think he is better than Brodin.

I assume that's just to get under the cap. That's why Minny would have to retain salary too.