Buffalo Sabres Free Agent Frenzy: Five Defensemen To Target
1. Dmitry Orlov
Dmitry Orlov is the youngest player on my list of five defensemen the Buffalo Sabres could target this offseason, and the only restricted free agent. Would it be worth it for the Buffalo Sabres to put out an offer sheet for him?
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Orlov is only 24 years old, and – I think – could fit nicely into the youth model of the Buffalo Sabres defense.
He’s coming off his first full NHL season with the Washington Capitals, having split the past few seasons prior between Washington and Hershey of the AHL.
Orlov played in all 82 games this past season with the Caps, registering 29 points and 26 penalty minutes and finishing the season a plus-8. He added one point and two penalty minutes in 11 playoff games.
Orlov averaged 16:01 ice time per game and played 42:35 on the power-play this season, third-highest among Caps defensemen (behind Matt Niskanen and John Carlson).
And before anyone says it – yes, I know he’s Russian. Don’t use that as an excuse for why the Buffalo Sabres “shouldn’t” go for it.
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