NHL Rumors: 3 free agents with Peter Laviolette ties Rangers can sign

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 17: Head coach Peter Laviolette of the Washington Capitals watches his team during a practice session in advance of the 2023 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series game against the Carolina Hurricanes at Carter-Finley Stadium on February 17, 2023 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

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Oct 31, 2022; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Washington Capitals defenseman Dmitry Orlov (9) watches the play against the Carolina Hurricanes during the third period at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports /

NHL Rumors: 3 free agents with Peter Laviolette ties Rangers can sign, No. 2: Dmitry Orlov, D

New York’s defense is pretty stacked, led by Norris Trophy winner Adam Fox and team captain Jacob Trouba. Not to mention they have a potential franchise superstar in K’Andre Miller that they need to re-sign on a contract extension. But, as evidenced in their playoff series against the New Jersey Devils, the defense still needs some work. Not to mention, while Ryan Lindgren has played great for them, he gets injured a lot and the team looks lost without him.

When looking at former defensemen that played under Laviolette, the one name that stands out is Dmitry Orlov.

Orlov had been with the Capitals long before Laviolette arrived, being their 55th overall pick in the 2009 NHL Draft. He made his debut with the team in 2011 and was part of their Stanley Cup championship team in 2018.

In his three seasons with Laviolette as his head coach, Orlov recorded 23 goals, 53 assists, 76 points, and a plus/minus of 43. But midway through this past season, he was dealt to the Boston Bruins.

Orlov would be the most expensive ex-Laviolette player the Rangers could pursue this offseason. But he should be a player they at least explore adding, even if it means trying to find ways to clear up cap space to fit him.

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