Dmitry Orlov’s KHL Rights and What All of it Means

Dmitry Orlov looks on during warm-ups last season (Kyle Mace / Sweetest Hockey on Earth)

Early Wednesday morning, CSKA of the KHL announced it had acquired Dmitry Orlov’s KHL rights. Now we know what you’re thinking: “Orlov’s leaving Hershey for the KHL?!?” Well, not exactly.

Dmitry Orlov played in the KHL for three seasons between 2008-2011 for Metallurg Nk. Late in the 2010-11 season, Orlov arrived in Hershey to join the Bears, playing 19 game in a Chocolate and White sweater. Only one season later Orlov was in the NHL, playing 60 games for the Washington Capitals. Due to the NHL lockout last season, Orlov spent most of his time in Hershey, but missed most of the season due to a concussion.

The 22-year-old blue liner was one of Washington’s final cuts before the start of the 2013-14 season, sending him back to Hershey. But now his career in Hershey and North America could be cut short with a new KHL team acquiring his rights. Or could it?

CSKA is based in Moscow and used to be affiliated with the Russian Army. Now it is lead by former Capital and now current GM for CSKA, Sergei Fedorov. They acquired Orlov’s KHL rights, meaning he is still a player in the Washington Capitals organization. This means if Orlov decides to leave Washington/Hershey, he must go play for CSKA if he is to join the KHL.

Orlov now makes $740,000 on his NHL deal ($67,500 on his AHL contract,) with a cap hit of $690,000 which is pretty good for a 22-year-old who hasn’t yet played a full season in the NHL. He could be offered a much larger contract in Russia, making the deal to return to his home country a lot sweeter.