The San Jose Sharks have significantly bolstered their defensive lineup by signing veteran defenseman Dmitry Orlov to a two-year, $13 million contract and claiming Nick Leddy off waivers from the St. Louis Blues. The moves, announced Thursday, add experience and skill to a Sharks team looking to improve its performance in the upcoming seasons.
Dmitry Orlov, 33, is a seasoned defenseman with a wealth of NHL experience. Drafted by the Washington Capitals in the second round (55th overall) of the 2009 NHL Draft, Orlov has played 867 regular-season games with the Capitals, Boston Bruins, and Carolina Hurricanes, amassing 76 goals and 251 assists for a total of 327 points. He also brings significant playoff experience, with 4 goals and 37 assists in 107 playoff games. A highlight of his career was winning the Stanley Cup with the Capitals in 2018.
In the 2024-25 season with the Hurricanes, Orlov recorded six goals and 22 assists in 76 games, averaging 20 minutes of ice time. He also contributed four assists in 15 playoff games, averaging 21:42 of ice time. Orlov's two-year contract with the Sharks carries an average annual value of $6.5 million, making him the highest-paid defenseman on the team, ahead of John Klingberg. The contract includes a full no-trade clause in 2025-26 and a 15-team no-trade clause in 2026-27.
San Jose Sharks General Manager Mike Grier expressed enthusiasm about adding Orlov to the team. "Dmitry is a strong, two-way defenseman who brings physicality and versatility on the ice," Grier said. "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."
Nick Leddy, 34, joins the Sharks after being claimed off waivers from the St. Louis Blues. The left-shot defenseman has one year remaining on his contract, with a $4 million cap hit. Leddy's 2024-25 season was hampered by a lower-body injury, limiting him to 31 games where he recorded two goals and three assists. In his NHL career, Leddy has played for the Chicago Blackhawks, New York Islanders, Detroit Red Wings and St. Louis Blues.
Leddy is a Stanley Cup winner, claiming the title with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2013. The Sharks hope Leddy will regain his form and contribute significantly to their defense. With the Sharks, Leddy is expected to play a top-four role and potentially reclaim a spot on the power play.
These acquisitions address the Sharks' need for experienced defensemen and bring them closer to the NHL's salary cap floor. Orlov and Leddy are expected to provide leadership and stability to a team that is in a rebuilding phase.
