The Caps Are Bringing Back Brooks Orpik For 1 Year, $1 Million, Thanks To The Avalanche Buying Him Out

Pretty amazing wizardry from the Caps. Brooks Orpik had a good season, and a great post-season for the Caps. Everyone, myself included, was worried as hell about him on the blue line in the playoffs, and he shut all of us up with his steady play. After the season Colorado was desperate for Philipp Grubauer, so the Caps were able to unload Orpik’s contract freeing up the space to re-sign Carlson. And then what happened? The Avs immediately bought out Orpik’s deal making him a free agent, allowing him to return to DC on a $1 million deal. So the Caps are saving $4.5 million on a guy who solidified the blue line on the way to the Cup. As I said, wizardry.

NHL - “Brooks has been a valuable player and a great mentor for our young players and we are thrilled to bring him back to our organization,” said MacLellan. “We feel his leadership and competitiveness on and off the ice will be welcomed back to our group.”

Orpik, 37, led the Capitals with 168 blocked shots and ranked second on the team, and first among Washington defensemen, with 218 hits in 2017-18. He recorded 10 points (0g, 10a) in 81 regular-season appearances and five points (1g, 4a) in 24 postseason contests.

There’s no denying the leadership he brings to the table. Everyone within the organization speaks about how great of a locker room guy he is. And now with the Orpik signing, that means everyone from the Cup team besides Grub and Beagle will return this season. Pretty, prettyyyyy good.

#OurYearAgain