The former Washington blueliner spoke on his ex-club missing out on the playoffs.
For the first time in nine years, Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals started their offseason earlier than expected and now have over four months away from the rink to reflect and prepare for the upcoming campaign. And for countrymate and former teammate Dmitry Orlov, the situation is strange to see.
Orlov told sports.ru that he was shocked to see that Washington, as well as Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins, failed to qualify for the postseason after years of success.
"I was very surprised by that," Orlov said. "You realize... two teams that have always been favorites in the fight for the Stanley Cup and the stars of the league did not get into the playoffs."
Orlov was traded to the Boston Bruins in February as part of the Capitals' sell-off before the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline, as the team realized that the playoffs weren't a likely outcome. Still, he admitted he was surprised to see his old team miss out.
The 31-year-old will hit free agency on July 1. He has fit in well with the Bruins, picking up 17 points in 21 games and recording a point in each of Boston's first three playoff games.
Looking back at the failed expectations for his ex-club, Orlov said he will be watching in the offseason to see what moves will come next.
"It will be interesting to see what will happen to these teams next season, how it'll all happen so that they return to the previous level they've always been," Orlov added.
Ovechkin made his way back to Moscow, Russia, with his family over the weekend. He is going to spend some time away from the rink and get some rest, as he was dealing with a few injuries over the course of the 2022-23 campaign. Then, he will begin training again with long-time personal trainer Pavel Burlachenko.