The Carolina Hurricanes have been the most active team this free agency season, building on their strong 2024-25 campaign that saw them finish second in the Metropolitan Division with 47 wins, 30 losses, and 5 overtime losses. While Carolina continues making aggressive moves to improve for the upcoming season, one former player is sharing a darker side of his experience with the organization.
Why Did Dmitry Orlov Leave Carolina for San Jose?
Defenseman Dmitry Orlov signed a two-year, $13 million contract with an average annual value of $6.5 million with the San Jose Sharks this free agency season. The 33-year-old spent the past two seasons with the Hurricanes, accumulating 54 points in 158 regular-season games.
Sharks sign Dmitry Orlov to 2-year contract with $6.5 million cap hit https://t.co/3W2dkH4hBN
— The Athletic NHL (@TheAthleticNHL) July 3, 2025
Despite earning $7.75 million annually with Carolina, Orlov’s stay was far from pleasant. The veteran defenseman dealt with personal challenges, including his family being “split between two states” throughout his NHL career. Beyond the family struggles, Orlov also admitted that he felt neglected during his time with the Hurricanes.
“…the ice time–when you’re not playing as much as you know you can help, and when you feel overlooked, it’s tough. Especially after playing big minutes your whole career. I think the hardest moment was realizing I wasn’t part of their plans,” Orlov explained.
The situation took a mental toll on the veteran defenseman. However, Orlov credits his family’s support for helping him through the difficult period. “My family really helped. In the end, I had to pull myself out of it. You have to stay mentally tough and learn how to support yourself.”
Even his Russian teammates, including Andrei Svechnikov and Pyotr Kochetkov, provided support during the challenging time. “We supported each other, of course. But everyone had their own things to deal with. Sometimes just knowing you’re not alone helps,” Orlov said.
What Does Orlov’s Move to San Jose Mean for Both Sides?
The move to San Jose represents a fresh start for Orlov. The Sharks finished last in the standings during the 2024-25 season, but the veteran defenseman sees opportunity in the team’s youth and management’s vision.
“I’ll need to adapt. It’s a young team that finished last season in last place–but that can be fixed. The most important thing is that management supports us and sees the way forward. I’m excited for the challenge. I’ll be the oldest player on the team, and my role might change. It’ll be interesting to see how the next two years go,” Orlov said.
Sharks GM Mike Grier expressed confidence in the acquisition, highlighting Orlov’s experience and championship pedigree. “He has a wealth of NHL experience, both in the regular season and playoffs, and his Stanley Cup championship pedigree is a valuable addition to our team. We are happy to have him.”
Meanwhile, Carolina continues its aggressive pursuit of talent. The Hurricanes’ most significant acquisition remains Nikolaj Ehlers, who signed a six-year, $51 million contract with the team. The Carolina front office also showed interest in Pittsburgh Penguins veteran Erik Karlsson, but couldn’t remain in contention given the defenseman’s jaw-dropping price tag.
The relationship between Orlov and the Sharks appears mutually beneficial. The veteran defenseman gets an opportunity to reset his career in a supportive environment, while San Jose adds experienced leadership to guide their young roster through the rebuilding process.
Did Orlov think he should have been on the top pair or something?
Dude, check your facts. Are you sure he only got 10 points in 26 regular season games? Maybe you should stick to football. Lol