San Jose Sharks
Sharks Add to Defense, Sign Orlov & Claim Leddy
The San Jose Sharks added two veteran defensemen to their ranks on Thursday morning.
First, the San Jose Sharks signed unrestricted free agent Dmitry Orlov, 33, to a two-year contract that carries a cap hit of $6.5 million per season. Per Puckpedia, the contract also has a full no-trade clause in the first season, with a modified no-trade in the second season. The 5-foot-11 left-handed defenseman spent the last two seasons with the Carolina Hurricanes. Last season, he recorded 28 points and a +16 in 76 regular-season games for the Hurricanes and ultimately helped them reach the Eastern Conference Final.
The #SjSharks signed 33 y/o LD Dmitry Orlov to 2 year $6.5M Cap Hit Deal:
Year 1 5.4M Salary & 2M Signing Bonus, Full No Trade Clause
Year 2 4.1M Salary & 1.5M SB, 15 Team No Trade ClauseRep'd by Gandler/Diamond ISAhttps://t.co/kxfnHXIJHR
— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) July 3, 2025
Previously, he played his first 12 seasons with the organization that drafted him in 2009, the Washington Capitals. Throughout his career, Orlov has played 867 games in the NHL, has a total of 327 points, and is a +134. He won his only Stanley Cup to date with the Capitals during the 2017-18 season.
Then, the San Jose Sharks announced they claimed defenseman Nick Leddy, 34, off waivers from the St. Louis Blues. The 6-foot-0 left-hander spent three-and-a-half seasons with the Blues before being placed on waivers on Wednesday. Injuries kept Leddy on the sidelines for most of the 2024-25 season, appearing in just 31 games. He’s in the final year of his contract, which carries a $4 million cap hit, and has a 16-team Trade List. He previously won the Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2012-13 season.
Nice! Do you guys think Orlov will be traded for a pick at the deadline? Feels like a trademark move by Grier at this point
No, he signed for 2 years.
Maybe the 26-27 deadline. Full no trade next year. Partial in year two
Really solid adds, you flip Vlasic Walman and Ceci from the start of last year with Leddy Klingberg and Orlov.
Ive always been high on Orlov, I think he’s better than Walman and I’d rather have Leddy and Klingberg. All three are veterans that can move the puck. Leddy and Klingberg have had injuries so have a lot to prove but I think this is an upgrade that also doesn’t block any young players out
I have mostly seen Muk play on his offside, looking at it I would hope Muk takes a step and justifies playing with Orlov and forming a top pair, if he’s not ready Ferraro has spent a lot of time off hand and maybe that’s how this goes. If you think a group of Muk Ferraro Thrun Klingberg Desharnais and Liljigren forming the right side and Orlov playing the number 1 role on the left side. There is enough there to be better than last year. There could still be trades to mix up this group, I think it’s better… Read more »
There’s a lot of offseason left and I agree it’s better than last year, but Klingberg has to play more and Leddy too
I joked about it earlier but for real – did we need two veteran LDs whose best days are behind them? Are BOTH of these guys better than not buying out Vlasic?
Ferraro Klingberg
Mukh Liljegren
Orlov Desharnais
Leddy Thompson
Thrun
Cagnoni
Dickinson
That’s seven guys just on the left, if we count Sam. Say Mukh plays his offhand, Thompson and Cags marinate again in the AHL, it’s still a headscratcher. Are they moving Thrun and/or Mario for winger help? I’d value them both higher than Lilj or Desharnais but the right side is a cliche at this point.
Roster has 8 d-men signed now to NHL deals.
8 — without Dickinson, Cagnoni or Thompson.
Not uncommon to have 10 (or even more d-men) get games in over the course of a season.
But yes, the roster is a bit d-man heavy and definitely left-side heavy.
That said, the defensive group is decidedly better than it was at the start of last season. Even if its still not good
Good or not will depend on deployment and health.
True, Leddy played 31 games last year, but seemed healthy in the previous years, However Klingberg has played 11, 14, and 17 games the last 3 years, based on that trend health could very well be an issue with them.
I’d definitely prioritize talent over handedness at this point. Beggars can’t be choosers. Seems like Mukhamudullin can play on the right just fine. Then there is Klingberg, and then maybe one LHD playing on the right but who is still better than Liljegren or Desharnais. Orlov-Mukhamudullin Dickinson-Klingberg Leddy-Ferraro Something has me feeling like Klingberg would be the best partner for Dickinson. In his case, playing with an actual RHD playing the right side may simplify things for him and his pairing overall. I think Cagnoni and Thompson are definitely Barracuda. Thrun or Desharnais the extra guy with the big club.… Read more »
Keep in mind that Ferraro, Lily, Klingberg, & Leddy are all on expiring deals. If any of them show value to another team they’re gone similar to when Blackwood was traded. I wouldn’t be shocked if one of Lily, Ferraro or Deshaun’s is traded before the season.
Personally I feel like worrying too much about Left-Right on this roster is getting into excessive min-max territory. I can’t wait until we’re there in a few years, and we should be keeping an eye on it for the future, but this year? This year I just want guys who make us better than last year.
Also, I’m pretty sure I heard Leddy is comfortable playing either side so that could help.
Not the kind of big moves that excite us fans but, hopefully, the kind of smart moves that make the Sharks defense respectable in the short term while not encumbering the team with big, long contracts.
Klingberg, Orlov and Leddy are all solid pros, even if we still lack a number one. If Mukhamadullin can maintain the form he was showing pre-injury, Ferraro can be a steady-Eddie, and either Thompson or Thrun improves, you can almost see a passable group. If Dickinson earns a spot on the team, even better.
Respectable is a definite step up from where we were. Orlov should help. He’s had a very nice career and will bring needed stability and wisdom.
Sounds like the Sharks are trying to outbid St. Louis for Byrum. Maybe some fireworks for the 4th await us?
Link or source or anything
https://x.com/thefourthperiod/status/1940890851464626640?s=42
Thank you
It would be somewhat ironic if we lose Byram because claiming Leddy put St Louis back in the game
Was just coming to share this. This would make a very good first pair of Byram and Orlov.
What goes the other way?
Ferraro. Oilers 2026 1st
Probably cost more than that.
Some combo of Ferraro, Oilers 1st, the 2 2nds, or even Eklund.
Thats crazzy much.
If thats the cost i hope GMMG satys put.
Ferraro, Edm 1st is fine a redudant prospect like Thompson, Gushchin, Cardwell, Furlong list goes on so not our top 13 prospects is okay. Maybe sprinkle with another 2nd but thats the top.
If the Sabers want a 1st Ferraro and a top prospect and 2nd hell no.
Eklund is now way in freezing hell.
He should’be nearly untouchable.
I would do Ferraro, Oilers 1st and Avs 2. Dobson went for 2 mid firsts in a weak draft and I think he has more value than Byram. I think the Sharks could get a late first for Ferraro in this environment, too. So that’s a strong offer for an RFA who could want north of $72M
Bobby Orrlov LFG!
How can I watch the Sharks development scrimmage? Can’t find a link.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNioz9UH_CQ
Many thanks…..
Orlov is a great addition. Could be a good mentor for Shak. I was hoping for Burns, but Orlov is solid.
Defense looking better.
Shak, Orlov, and Leddy can all play the right side.
Hmmm Ferraro, Liljegren, Edmonton 2026 1st and a 2nd for Byram?
Might keep any future Russian culture much stronger. No.Kovalenkos going off the rails
Good mentor for Askarov as well, and maybe (hopefully) Gushchin. A veteran Russian who can mentor our young Russians is an often-overlooked intangible that to me is worth more in the long run than whatever people think we overpaid for him.
For me the Key part of these Defensive additions is their ability to bring Askarov’s game up a notch. Getting some of the 3rd period collapses they had last year into the W column will do whats needed to let the organization start to deliver on their rebuild strategy. Getting buy in from high end talent drafted to see there is a plan will keep San Jose from being Buffalo or Detroit’s treadmill to nowhere rebuilds. Askarov has potential to stabilize a weak defense and cover its shortcomings while allowing for offensive talent to develop. This gives a path to… Read more »
There is a glaring fact few are noticing. Muhk, Thrun & Thompson are NOT Waiver Exempt any more, thus will be exposed to Waivers if SJS was to send them down to the Cuda. Any of the 3 will be snatched up if exposed to the Waiver Wire and SJS would loose them for nothing. Add in the fact that Dickinson cannot be sent down & there are 4 young D that will need to be on the Sharks roster opening night. Something has to give. I expect Thrun to be traded. Just not up to NHL pace. Payed a… Read more »
Someone’s clearly getting traded. Thompson isn’t really a deal breaker at this point though. Shak is done playing in the minors no matter who they add. Sending guys down at the end of camp makes it easier to hang on to them.
Change to a better spell-checker. “Loose” is not “lose”.
Merriam-Webster – one might “lose a game” or “lose one’s temper.”
Loose can be not securely attached or to free something or someone.
Orlov has played quite a bit on the opposite side. don’t know about Leddy’s experience doing so. He mostly played 22mins a night with Parayko on the top pairing in STL year before last. Last year the nerve injury in his neck derailed his season. Leddy says he’s past it so we’ll see but still well worth the waiver claim.should be a good group of 33,34 year old dmen to mentor the younguns. On Leddy, Strickland said this yesterday. “Never seemed to fully recover. Looked to be getting stronger down the stretch and into the playoffs, but wasn’t himself. Can… Read more »