When the Colorado Avalanche gave up their 47th pick to land the rights of RFA goalie Philipp Grubauer, they also took on Brooks Orpik and his $5.5 million cap hit. Joe Sakic didn’t play coy about Orpik’s time likely being brief with Colorado, and that appears to be the case.
[Get the lowdown on the trade here]
The Avalanche placed Orpik on unconditional waivers with a buyout in mind, according to reporters including Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston.
Via Cap Friendly, a buyout would mean a $2.5M cap hit in 2018-19 and a $1.5M cap hit in 2019-20 for Colorado. Between the buyout, 47th pick, and Grubauer’s eventual contract, Colorado is clearly making a significant investment in the former Capitals goalie.
With Brooks Orpik on unconditional waivers, here is how a buyout will breakdown against the Avalanche for the next 2 seasonshttps://t.co/ltAxKgG1ne pic.twitter.com/H74fkmZYM8
— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) June 23, 2018
As TSN’s Frank Seravalli reported on Friday, this situation shouldn’t be a surprise for Orpik.
“I told him I owed him the respect to let him know that the plan is to buy him out and let him be a free agent,” Sakic said. “I’m sure he’ll have a lot of teams that’ll want to add him to their group.”
Is it possible that Orpik, 37, could be back with the Capitals? The team kept the door open.
#Caps GM Brian MacLellan says “we’re open to” bringing back Brooks Orpik if #Avs buy him out and the cost is right.
— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) June 23, 2018
Considering that Orpik is essentially double-dipping here, it wouldn’t be shocking if the rugged defenseman came at a reasonable price. Then again, some teams might (over-)value a hard-hitting, veteran blueliner who’s won a Stanley Cup with two different squads.
After a 2018 NHL Draft loaded with modern-style, fleet-of-foot, smaller defensemen, it should be interesting to see how an old-school guy like Orpik will fare during free agency.
Chances are, there will be room for someone like Orpik somewhere, possibly even Washington.