3 Ex-Caps Land With Metropolitan Teams

Three former Capitals left Washington in the rearview mirror long ago, but soon they’ll be back on the ice at Capital One Arena.

Dmitry Orlov, Lars Eller and Garnet Hathaway — all dealt in the run up to the trade deadline earlier this year — have inked free agent deals with teams in the Metropolitan Division.

Dmitry Orlov, Carolina Hurricanes

Orlov ended up in Boston as part of a three-team trade back in February, and quickly became a key piece of the President’s Trophy-winning team’s blue line. The Bruins would go on to be upset in the first round by the eventual Eastern Conference champion Florida Panthers.

Orlov, arguably the top free agent available, agreed to terms on a two-year, $15.5 million deal with the Carolina Hurricanes on the first day of free agency.

The Capitals will first travel to Carolina on Dec. 17 before hosting the Hurricanes on Jan. 5. The teams will meet twice more during the regular season: March 22 at Washington and April 5 at Carolina.

BIG D(MITRY) ENERGY 😤 pic.twitter.com/sIgcb7nloG

— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) July 1, 2023

Lars Eller, Pittsburgh Penguins

Eller had been a Capital for seven seasons before being dealt to Colorado, who was ultimately bounced from the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the first round.

Eller quickly found a spot within the Pittsburgh Penguins’ shopping spree, agreeing to a two-year, $2.45 million AAV deal.

The Capitals will host the Penguins in the season-opener, scheduled for Oct. 13, before traveling to Pittsburgh on Jan. 2. Pittsburgh will also host on March 7, before the two teams meet for the final time in Washington on April 4.

The Penguins have agreed to terms with forward Lars Eller on a two-year contract.

The contract will run through the 2024.25 campaign and carries an average annual value of $2.45 million. pic.twitter.com/FfX6UKVYEM

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) July 1, 2023

Garnet Hathaway, Philadelphia Flyers

Like Orlov, Hathaway was dealt as part of the three-team trade earlier this year, landing in Boston.

Hathaway inked a two-year, $4.75 million contract with the Flyers, taking him through his age 33 season.

The Capitals will first travel to Philadelphia on Dec. 14 before hosting the Flyers on March 1. The regular season finale will be played in Philadelphia on April 16.

DONE DEAL: We have signed forward Garnet Hathaway to a two-year, $4.75 million contract ($2.375 million AAV). https://t.co/GDwZxzvweg

— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) July 2, 2023