Orlov hasn't really played the right side in basically a decade. He came up in juniors and minors as a RD, but the Caps converted him to LD and he's pretty much stuck to that side ever since.
Can Orlov play the PP? Yes. But he also really hasn't done it as a primary duty in the NHL. This is in large part because of the Capitals PP scheme wanting a RD at the point (allowing a natural one-timer and forehand feed to Ovechkin at the left circle), combined with the fact the Capitals have had guys like Carlson, Green, Shattenkirk, Niskanen, and now Gustaffson contending for PP time. So Orlov has largely only received garbage PP time as part of PP2 or when other guys were hurt/serving penalties/etc.
Every Caps fan is going to miss Orlov. He was a pillar on our defense for a long time. Orlov-Niskanen was our shutdown pairing when we won the Cup in 2018. He's a huge open-ice hitter (search up his hits on YouTube and grab some popcorn). He's got good hands and will occasionally dazzle you with a deke thru the entire opposing team. He's got a huge shot and huge frame. But he's also having his weakest season in a while, and subjectively it looks like his first step is a lot more tentative since returning from injury. I wouldn't necessarily expect him to be a dominating first pairing presence with McAvoy. Nor would I be willing to give him the 6 year deal he's reportedly looking for. But he could be a realiable 2nd pairing defensive stalwart and PKer who provides occasional bursts of additional play as you guys go deep in the playoffs.
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