Fresh off his three-game conditioning assignment with the Hershey Bears, Dmitry Orlov is excited at the prospect of getting into NHL action with the Washington Capitals in the near future.
Orlov’s conditioning assignment was his first game action of any kind since undergoing surgery on his wrist last May.
“I’m most excited to play,” Orlov told The Washington Post. “Missed, what, 10 and a half months I think? Nice to be on the ice, nice to be playing. Good time right now for me and hope I would play for Caps soon a little bit. We’ll see what coach say, if I go out there or not. But I play in Hershey and it was good to understand I can play again.”
Orlov was recalled on Thursday, but remains on the long-term injury list.
With the Capitals currently trying to nail down a playoff spot, it’s uncertain when Orlov will return to the lineup, but coach Barry Trotz would like to see what the 23-year-old is capable of.
“We’ll see what we do in the next little while here, if we put him in a game or two,” said Trotz. “That’ll all depend on what happens the next couple games, probably. Yeah, or we might have an injury too. It might be as simple as that. But we’ll get him back. I think it was good for him to get some actual real hockey in.
“There’s probably still some rust in his game and he’s got a lot to catch up, but we’d like to take a look at him at some point to see where he is at this level.”
Orlov had three goals and 11 points while averaging 19:36 in ice time in 54 games last season.
With a win in regulation tonight against the Ottawa senators, the Capitals can clinch a playoff spot.
Orlov is unlikely to play tonight, but with three games remaining the Russian’s regular season debut appears close.