[Tom Gulitti] Orlov on his DC return: “A special night: first time since the trade & summertime of free agency. I was drafted in 2009, played 12 years with this organization. A lot of, obviously, great memories. … It was not easy to stay & watch the video. It was a nice standing ovation.”
by LesDiablesRouges
5 Comments
More Dima:
[More Orlov: “My family was here today and a lot of friends who I meet in this city. They all support and we’re still good friends, saw some guys at dinner time. … When you make friends and you can keep that all your life, that’s important. . I’m emotional right now inside.”](https://x.com/tomgulittinhl/status/1743511469168197807?s=46&t=IZBzdweSYEtz8jCZ0Jecdg)
If it hasn’t been obvious since the trade and even comments he made before FA (about coming back home), Orlov genuinely did not want to get traded and he again hinted at wanting to come back last summer. The term and number must just have not worked for the Caps, even though we are paying TVR + Jensen together a little bit under the $AAV it would have taken to keep him (he also would’ve likely taken a hometown discount).
IDK about y’all, but that Orlov tribute/montage, his subsequent teary-eyed reaction, the entire crowd’s appreciation, and then the lack of any celebration – rather look of sheer and utter sadness – when he scored just killed me inside.
In a perfect world, he would still be here in Washington.
Thank you, Dima. Forever my favorite defenseman on our team.
Fuck I miss Dima. Thicc neck power, can score, great hip checks and open ice hits
Wish we could have kept him. Rather pay him than overpriced Carlson and Jensen. GM is bad.
Miss him so much. Thankful for everything he provided.