Bruins complete major trade

BET À DAY

The Boston Bruins may be sitting comfortably in first place overall on the Bettman Tour, but that hasn't stopped general manager Don Sweeney from adding even more depth to his roster by acquiring Dmitry Orlov and Garnet Hathaway from the Washington Capitals on Thursday.

In return, the Bruins traded forward Craig Smith and first (2023), second (2025) and third (2024) round picks.

The Capitals will withhold half of Orlov's salary. The Minnesota Wild is also involved in the transaction, having agreed to absorb 25% of the Russian defenseman's contract in order to get their hands on a fifth-round pick from the Bruins in 2023.

Finally, Russian prospect Andrei Svetlakov, Wild selection in 2017, is heading to Washington.

A member of the “Caps” since his debut in the National Hockey League in 2011-2012, Orlov is spending the last year of a pact bringing him $5.1 million annually.

The 31-year-old athlete year-old has 19 points in 43 games this season. He played 686 games with the American capital team, amassing 256 points and lifting the Stanley Cup in 2018.

According to the specialized site The Fourth Period, it was following fruitless contract extension negotiations that general manager Brian MacLellan decided to trade Orlov.

Hathaway, meanwhile, was the point guard in penalty minutes (52) and hits (198) for the Capitals this season. He scored nine goals and 16 points in 59 games.

Peter Laviolette's squad can count on the arrival of Craig Smith to replace him in his support units. The former Nashville Predators' star has faded since his fifth and final 20+-goal season, in 2018-19. He's been limited to 10 points in 42 games this season and commands a salary of $3.1 million through the end of the campaign.

NEWS | The Washington Capitals have acquired a 2023 first-round pick, 2025 second-round pick, 2024 third-round pick and forward Craig Smith from the Boston Bruins in exchange for defenseman Dmitry Orlov and forward Garnet Hathaway.

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 23, 2023