Dmitry Orlov and Garnet Hathaway were traded to the Boston Bruins by the Washington Capitals on Thursday.
Boston also acquired forward prospect Andrei Svetlakov from the Minnesota Wild in the three-team trade.
“Both Dmitry and Garnet bring some attributes that will complement our group,” Bruins general manager Don Sweeney said. “Now, let’s hope we stay healthy and try and take a run. Play our best hockey at the right time. It’s going to be a hard path. It is a hard path to get in and it’s even harder once you are to take a run.”
The Capitals received forward Craig Smith, a first-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, a third-round selection in the 2024 NHL Draft and a second-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft in the deal. Minnesota received Boston’s fifth-round pick in this year’s draft.
Washington retained 50 percent of Orlov’s salary as part of the trade, and Minnesota retained 25 percent.
Sweeney said the Bruins are in the process of arranging for Orlov and Hathaway to join the team on its road trip but did not know if either will play in their game at the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday (7 p.m. ET; CITY, SNW, SNP, NESN, ESPN+, SN NOW).
“That will be [coach Jim Montgomery’s] decision and theirs and how comfortable they feel, if they want to skate in practice and get in,” Sweeney said. “Both are easily adjusted to jump in an NHL lineup. They’re both identity type players.”
The Bruins have the NHL’s best record (43-8-5) heading into their game at the Seattle Kraken on Thursday, but wanted improve their depth on defense and at forward. Orlov has 19 points (three goals, 16 assists) in 43 games this season and is second on the Capitals in averaging 22:43 in ice time this season.
The 31-year-old has 256 points (60 goals, 196 assists) in 686 regular-season games with the Capitals and helped them win the Stanley Cup in 2018. Orlov has 23 points (two goals, 21 assists) in 23 playoff games.
Playing mostly on the fourth line, Hathaway led Washington with 198 hits and has 16 points (nine goals, seven assists) in 59 games this season. The 31-year-old had 76 points (38 goals, 38 assists) in 257 regular-season games with Washington. He had 116 points (54 goals, 62 assists) in 432 regular-season games with the Capitals and Calgary Flames, and five points (three goals, two assists) in 24 playoff games.
“Strength in both areas for us, both on the defensive side and the forward side,” Sweeney said. “In Dmitry’s case, (he) adds a tremendous amount of versatility in being able to play both sides, contributing offensively and defensively. He has a physical component to his game, has a wealth experience, has won a Stanley Cup. In Garnet’s case, he’s a penalty killer, can play probably third or fourth line or middle six and adds a dimension to our team to complement the current guys that we rely a lot on in that regard.
“I think he’s wired in the same way as Dmitry in being ultra- competitive. So I think they’re both going to fit in really well in all those areas.”
Sweeney said the added depth will allow the Bruins to potentially rest some players down the stretch so they are healthy for the start of the playoffs. And by beating the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline at 3 p.m. ET on March 3 will give Orlov and Hathaway to get accustomed to their new surroundings.
“Ultimately, you want to get players in here and get them acclimated and comfortable with their new teammates,” Sweeney said. “The more runway you can have, probably the better off you’re going to be. I think that we were presented with a situation where we felt we could be aggressive and close it off. You just never know with the timing.”
The Capitals (28-25-6) had lost five in a row before hosting the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday to fall two points behind the Florida Panthers for the second wild card into the playoffs from the Eastern Conference. With its chances of qualifying for the playoffs for the ninth consecutive season fading, Washington opted to add pieces for the future before the deadline that might help it retool its roster.
Orlov and Hathaway were among 11 players on the Capitals active roster who are slated to become unrestricted free agents after this season.
“We would like to thank Dmitry and Garnet for their contributions to our organization,” Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan said. “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.”
Smith has 10 points (four goals, six assists) in 42 games with the Bruins this season. The 33-year-old forward has 408 points (195 goals, 213 assists) in 831 regular-season games with the Bruins and Nashville Predators, and 21 points (nine goals, 12 assists) in 69 playoff games.
Svetlakov was a sixth-round pick (No. 178) by the Wild at the 2017 NHL Draft. The 26-year-old is playing with CSKA Moscow in the Kontinental Hockey League and is not expected to join the Bruins this season.
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