Burning Questions For the 2025-26 Season: Dmitry Orlov

With the 2025-26 season now in sight, the plan is to address the burning questions surrounding every player on the roster (or competing for a roster spot). These questions are focused on how the player is expected to contribute to the Sharks this season and what their role will be.

Dmitry Orlov
5'11" 214lbs
34 years old
2009 2nd round pick

Last Season

Carolina Hurricanes
76 games, 6 goals, 22 assists, 20:00 TOI

Dmitry Orlov spent last season playing on the very good Carolina Hurricanes, where he spent over 80% of his 5v5 minutes with Jalen Chatfield. This pairing was responsible for a very healthy Corsi for percentage of 59.7% in the regular season and only gave up 43 goals in over 1100 minutes played. In the playoffs, Orlov struggled against the Florida Panthers. While the CF% was good, Orlov was on the ice for the most high danger chances allowed among Canes players in the series (17) and has a goals for percentage of 27.27%.

The Hurricanes decided not to re-sign Orlov and instead traded for K'Andre Miller from the New York Rangers, while also banking on the internal growth of their young defenseman to help fill the Orlov role. Mike Grier signed Orlov to a two-year deal worth $6.5 million AAV. Orlov has a no trade clause this season and a fifteen team trade clause next year.

Burning Question

Can Orlov be the guy?

Throughout Dmitry Orlov's career, he has always been the Robin to someone else's Batman. While playing with the Washington Capitals, Mike Green (remember how sick Green was!) and later, John Carlson held the mantle of the team's best defenseman. In his short stint in Boston, they had Charlie McAvoy, and of course, the Hurricanes have Jaccob Slavin. Slavin is arguably the best defensive defenseman in the NHL right now.

In San Jose, Orlov will have to take up the mantle of the best defenseman on the team for the first time in his career. While Sam Dickinson will most likely secure the title at some point over the next few seasons, Orlov has signed up for it now, thanks to his contract and the limited options elsewhere. John Klingberg will drive the offense, but he has never been known for his shutdown defense. Nick Leddy is coming off a serious lower-body injury that stole most of last season from him, and Shakir Mukhamadullin and Dickinson are too young.

Orlov will need to prove that the issues against the Florida Panthers were more about getting beaten by a superior team (the Panthers are bullies, and they enjoy playing that role) and not the start of a decline by Orlov. It most likely is a bit of both. The Panthers will exploit any flaw you have, and with Orlov losing a bit of foot speed at the age of 34, it's easier for them to take advantage.

Expectations

All this is not to say that Orlov is doomed and the Sharks made a terrible decision in signing him. First off, the Sharks only play the Panthers twice a season. Orlov should be solid on a night-to-night basis, but will most likely struggle against the top teams. Orlov has always been a strong two-way player, and the Sharks should see a Jake Walman-like impact from him, particularly in his ability to start the transition and clear the puck out of the zone.

Like it or not, Dmitry Orlov is going to be the guy for the San Jose Sharks this year. The success of the Sharks' defense will ride on whether Orlov can be a consistent presence on the blue line and help guide young players like Shakir Mukhamadullin and Sam Dickinson. If he does, the Sharks could be a pleasant surprise; if not, here are Keaton Verhoeff highlights.