Sheng Peng
Picking up John Klingberg, Dmitry Orlov, and Nick Leddy in the same summer?
Five years ago, that might have won a team a Stanley Cup.
It’s not 2020 anymore, but this trio of veteran defensemen, acquired by the San Jose Sharks over the last three days, can still help a team.
How much so?
Five NHL scouts, none with the Sharks, spoke candidly about Orlov, Klingberg, and Leddy.
GM Mike Grier also shared his thoughts about his revamped defense.
Dmitry Orlov
Orlov, 33, averaged 20 minutes a night, the third most-used defenseman on the Carolina Hurricanes last year.
In his prime with the Washington Capitals, the stout 5-foot-11 left-hander was a fixture on both the power play and penalty kill, but last season, he was used exclusively on the PK.
The 2018 Stanley Cup winner, with Marc-Edouard Vlasic bought out, is now the San Jose Sharks’ most expensive blueliner.
“He’s got some bite to him, a good puck-moving two-way defenseman. It’s not easy to find guys that can impact the game at both ends of the rink. I think he defends hard and just has this competitiveness, which is what we’re always trying to add to this group, someone who’s got some competitive fire in them, he has won before,” Grier said. “He moves the puck really well too, so I think it’ll help us get out of our end and help get the puck up to our forwards, so I’m sure that’ll help our forward group as well.”
The Novokuznetsk, USSR native should also be a mentor for young Shakir Mukhamadullin.
“That can’t hurt for sure. A young kid like Shakir has come a long way. His English has gotten much, much better,” Grier said. “To even have someone who’s been in the league as long as Dmitry — maybe a sounding board when things are going well or things aren’t going well, to have a fellow countryman there, I’m sure, will be helpful.”
Five NHL scouts shared their thoughts about the Sharks’ new de facto No. 1 defenseman.
Scout #1: Not sure I’d want more than one year if signing him at this point.
Orlov is more like a No. 5 [on a good team] at this point, but collectively they should be able to move the puck more efficiently this year.
Scout #2: Foot speed seems to be trending the wrong way. I’m not sure he can carry the same workload he once did.
Think that’s probably why he got the two-year deal and not a four.
A bit erratic with some puck decisions. Same can be said about his physical play, can chase hits at times.
Second-pairing D trending the wrong way.
Scout #3: A good D who can defend well and moves the puck well. Can chip in with some offense. A good signing.
He could play on a second-pairing [on a playoff team].
Scout #4: Efficient puck mover, skating is trending down, limits his ability to close open ice consistently, but generally a pretty sound defensive game with a solid physical element.
Scout #5: They got really frustrated with his brain cramps towards the end of the regular season. If they had a better 7D, he probably would have been scratched quite a bit [in the regular season].
But he played a lot better in the playoffs.
Either way, he was well-liked in the room, a real pro, so at least he brings that to a young team even if he can’t play up to his previous level anymore.
Should be more of a No. 4 even on a bad team.
John Klingberg
Klingberg, 32, was a regular bottom-pairing presence for the Edmonton Oilers during their Stanley Cup Final run.
In his prime, Klingberg was one of the great offensive defensemen of his generation, before hip injures derailed his career.
The 6-foot-2 right-hander, coming off hip resurfacing surgery in Dec. 2023, started looking like his old self in the post-season.
“If you look at Patrick Kane his first year back from that similar surgery, he did okay. Then this past year, he was even better and had a really solid year,” Mike Grier said on Jul. 1.
Klingberg is earmarked to be the San Jose Sharks’ top blueline option on the power play. Once the best Swedish offensive defenseman this side of Erik Karlsson, a resurgent Klingberg could still be a game-changer.
Here’s what the rest of the league thinks.
Scout #1: Klingberg looked better than expected after coming off injury in Edmonton — gives them some more puck competence on the back-end.
Scout #3: Klingberg is a skilled puck-mover who can run a PP. Should be a good fit there, now that he is healthy.
Scout #4: Klinger can still help a power play. He was inconsistent, but still a threat.
Nick Leddy
Leddy, 34, averaged 18:40 a night in a bottom-pairing role with the St. Louis Blues.
In his prime, Leddy was considered one of the best skaters in the NHL, a solid top-four two-way defenseman. More power play-focused earlier in his career, he’s transitioned to a larger penalty-killing role in recent years.
Grier was surprised that the Blues waived Leddy, who’s got a $4 million AAV on his expiring contract next year. He’s got a 16-team trade list.
“He’s still a pretty high-end skater,” Grier said. “He’s someone who can skate and transport pucks and defend with his skating. He’s someone who helps us get the puck out of our end, which we know was an issue for us at times.”
Grier noted that the 6-foot-0 left-hander, like Orlov, is very comfortable playing his right side.
“We really liked the player — [San Jose Sharks assistant coach] Doug Houda has coached him before, [senior advisor] Doug Weight had him in New York, so I feel we know the person pretty well,” Grier said of the 2013 Stanley Cup winner.
Before the Sharks claimed Leddy, I asked a couple scouts who they’d rather have on their team, Leddy or Matt Dumba, who the Dallas Stars are trying to unload. I was trying the gauge how realistic it would be for San Jose to claim Leddy.
Scout #1: I only really watched him in the playoffs and he struggled. Leddy probably has more to give on a one year [than Matt Dumba].
Scout #2: He’s probably a No. 6-7 defenseman at this point on a better team, but he can still play.
Scout #3: He can still skate and play. Just maybe not [attractive] at that [contract] number. Depth option.
For one season, I would take Leddy, I’m not a huge fan of Dumba’s game.
Have Sharks Improved?
Orlov, Klingberg, and Leddy aren’t what they were, but they can still help the last-place San Jose Sharks get much closer to respectability. They could also take some pressure off a top prospect, allowing him to blossom.
“Their D-corps is better this year than last,” Scout #1 conceded. “Hope Mukhamadullin takes a big step this year. He’s got more support around him.”
There’s also a chance that the 30-something’s could discover a fountain of youth. That’s certainly possible for a year or two, especially with better health.
Considering the Sharks were never realistic contenders for the top UFA defensemen on the market, Orlov, Klingberg, and Leddy all look to be smart on and off-the-ice gambles.
They’re probably not taking San Jose to the playoffs, but they should form the backbone of the most competent Sharks’ defense since 2022-23.