We hardly knew ye. (Photo credit: Chris Gordon)

Washington Capitals goaltending prospect Sergey Kostenko has left the organization and will return to Russia to compete for a spot with his home team, Metallurg Novokuznetsk, the team’s head coach Alexander Kitov told Novokuznetsk Sports Portal. Last year, off-season shoulder surgery, several injuries, and an organizational goalie logjam limited Kostenko to just six games with the ECHL’s Reading Royals. Later in the season, Kostenko was loaned to the Ontario Reign where he made three more starts.

Kitov also commented on the future of two other Novokuznetsk-natives: Capitals defenseman Dmitry Orlov and Winnipeg Jets forward Ivan Telegin.

From Novokuznetsk Sports Portal:

Kostenko returns to Novokuznetsk. He’ll come here tomorrow or day after [Kitov said a few days ago]. As far as I know, he has ended his relationship with his North American partners. If Sergei doesn’t ask for a trade, he’ll attend Metallurg camp. He can prove he can be competitive here. We’re not throwing away players like that especially since we know him well. I think he’s experienced for his level. He’ll get his chance to prove himself.

In regards to Telegin – we had talks with his agent. But Ivan has one more year on his contract with the Jets and he’ll try to crack the NHL roster. Otherwise we’d be pleased to invite him.

Orlov’s situation is a little different. I’d say Dima doesn’t really want [to come back] at this point. But we’re working and we stay in touch with everyone.

The Capitals will still control Kostenko’s rights if he ever chooses to return in the future.

Thanks to Caser for finding the story.

Photo credit: Kyle Mace of Sweetest Hockey on Earth

Washington Capitals defenseman Dmitry Orlov has been in North America for parts of just three seasons, but he’s already had four head coaches, two broken noses (okay, the same nose broken twice), and has suffered through a benching that spanned the Caps’ entire 2011-12 playoff run.

Now, during a season Orlov should have started in Washington, he’s back with the AHL’s Hershey Bears, experiencing his first ever lockout.

On the first day of the lockout, Leonid Vaisfeld, general manager of Metallurg Novokuznetsk, expressed his interest in bringing Orlov home. “[Orlov] has a two-way deal,” Vaisfeld told Sports.ru. “So it’s up to Washington if they want to send him to the farm to learn English or let him come here, where I think it would be better for Dima’s development. As far as I understand he just wants to play at home.”

Way back in February of 2011, Orlov negotiated out of his contract with his KHL team to start his professional career early in Hershey. Now, while some of his friends are making big-time money playing in the KHL, Orlov– whose family is still in Russia– is staying the course in Hershey, doing everything the coaching staff has asked of him.

RMNB caught up with Orlov on Saturday before Hershey hosted the St. John’s Ice Caps (for whom Orlov’s best friend Alex Burmistrov plays). RMNB’s Igor Kleyner asked him about the possibility of going home, how his English is progressing, and what it’s like playing under a Hall of Fame coach.  We also talked about what it’ll be like to play against his former teammate and good friend Alex Semin.

Igor’s transcript of the interview is below.

It appears your English has improved: you’ve been chatting with us for 10 minutes without any difficulty. Maybe we can get rid of translator and do the interview in English?

No, I am not ready yet! My vocabulary is still quite poor. Whatever [Ian] asked me, I just was nodding my head yes or no!

How does it feel returning to Hershey?

It feels right to return here. It’s not like anything depends on me – the league and the PA are talking, but without much success, so for now I am here, doing everything I can to help the team. It is disappointing that my second NHL season hasn’t had a chance to start yet, but I am happy with the situation here in Hershey; it is not a strange place for me, I know every player and the coaches, we have a good team.

Is it easier to play in the AHL now, having experienced the NHL for almost a whole season last year?

I wouldn’t say so. In fact, in a way, it is more difficult to play here, especially when we have three games, one after another. In the NHL, you are obviously surrounded by higher level players, so you get better passes for example. But nevertheless, you can work on becoming a better player and improving yourself here in the AHL as well, that’s just how it worked out for now, and there is nothing wrong with that.

Did you consider going back home to play for Novokuznetsk during the lockout? There were rumors that they were interested in signing you…

Well, it is possible that there were some discussions about that, with all the Russian players going to play in the KHL during the lockout – but I am here. I have a contract. I can’t leave. What will happen in the future – we’ll see, I am just hoping the NHL hockey will resume, they’ve been talking for a few days now. All we can do is wait and hope for the best.

On a personal level, would you like to return to Novokuznetsk to play at home?

I am not even thinking about that right now. Like I said, I have a contract here. What I want is to play in the NHL. That’s the reason I came here. I was really looking forward to my second season, but now, who knows how long this situation will go on and when and how it is going to end. It is disappointing.

Do you stay in touch with the guys who went to play in Russia?

Not much, really. Although I try to follow what is going on with my team [Novokuznetsk]. I watch the highlights of their games. They started the season well, and doing alright so far. I know all the guys on the team; I practiced with them during summer. So I am happy for them and hope their good luck will continue.

Photo credit: kuzrab.ru

Over the summer you had a chance to participate in the goalie practice session for the kids, which was organized by your friend and former Novokuznetsk teammate Sergei Bobrovsky. Was it the first time you were actually trying teach others some hockey instead of being a student?

I wouldn’t say I was really teaching anybody. Serega just called me one day and asked me to come help out a bit. My job was simply to shoot the puck, and he was showing the kids some exercises and goalie techniques. So it was really Sergei who was doing the teaching – I was just helping him out, and I was happy to do that. But it really turned out to be an interesting experience. I liked it a lot.

Whenever the NHL season finally starts, one of your Russian teammates will be wearing different colors, playing for a division rival – how strange do you think it will feel playing against Alex Semin?

Yeah, we had a very good and close relationship, and he always helped me out a lot with whatever I needed. It would have been great if he stayed with the team, but it just didn’t happen that way. It is sad that he left. Obviously, the more Russian players we have on the team, the more fun we have together. But he is a great player, so I am sure he’ll do fine with his new team.

With you usually playing on the left side of defense and Semin on a right wing, whenever the Caps face the Hurricanes, you’ll find yourself face-to-face with him. If it’s you and him in the corner, will you let up a bit?

Well, I am not going to hit him from behind or do anything else that’s dirty, but other than that, friendship stays off the ice.

With Semin leaving, Ovechkin will be your only Russian teammate.

[Ovechkin] is a great guy. He is a good leader of the team, and off the ice you can always count on him. Whenever I ask him for help, he is always there for me. And just being on the same team with him– it feels great.

With Adam Oates appointed as the Caps new head coach and helping out here right now, he is your fourth coach in the last 12 months. Does it affect your development in any way?

Coaches change; it’s just a fact of life in hockey. They all come with their particular vision of the game, their own system. They try to help us understand as quickly as possible what the new system is; you just need to try your best to learn it. And then it’s simply following their instructions and giving your best effort in the game. You just adapt to the new system, and it’s not that big of a deal.

Are there any changes in the defensive system with the new coaching team?

Yes, there are some adjustments. The new approach is a bit more aggressive, attacking. I like it: jumping up into the play and joining the rush. But even now you have to judge the situation and make the right decision: whether to jump up or not, is it too risky or not. And if your team is ahead, maybe it’s not the right thing to do. But if we are behind, maybe you need to take more risks and join the attack, maybe create a scoring chance or draw a penalty, so there are many nuances that go into decision making process.

Calle Johansson was known for his sound judgment and ability to join the offense. How is he helping you develop your game?

Yes, I get a lot of advice from him. We watch video together, and he points out different things to me, what I need to improve or do differently.

Were you in any way involved with the Caps drafting your friend Sergey Kostenko this summer?

Not really. I just remember last year during the season I was surprised when our goalie coach Dave Prior asked me about Sergei – both as a goaltender and what kind of person he is. He mentioned that the team is interested in Sergei and monitoring his development, and I was a bit puzzled by that whole thing. I thought, do they really plan to draft him? And then in the summer, the team asked me to give them his phone number, so I guess they talked to him and decided to draft him.

I was watching the draft, and I saw that the Caps selected Sergey, so I called him right away to congratulate. I stay in touch with him all the time; I know he has not played yet (as he is recovering from shoulder surgery), but he is fully participating in practices, getting ready for his first game in America. His fate is in his hands now. He needs to be confident in his abilities and be prepared. Hockey is a bit different here, so he’ll need to adjust. He’ll be playing with the grownups now. The [ECHL] has decent teams and some good players, so he’ll need to be ready.

Interview by Igor Kleyner.

Photo credit: dynamo.ru

It appears as if Dynamo Moscow is unbeatable with Alex Ovechkin in their line-up. The defending champions won their seventh straight game Saturday, defeating Metallurg Novokuznetsk 3-2 in front of a hometown crowd of 6469, including Ovi’s mom Tatyana and his girlfriend Maria Kirilenko.

Ovechkin tallied his 10th point of the season, receiving a secondary assist on Yury Babenko’s powerplay goal.

Video is below.

On Babenko’s goal, Ovechkin uses some trickery and blindly backhands the puck to the slot. Unfortunately for Metallurg, every player on the ice, including their goalie, assumes the Russian machine would cradle the puck around the net, resulting in an easy goal. What a play.

Now let’s see some happy pics of Tatyana and Maria at the game.

Photo credit (if you couldn’t tell by the ugly watermark): visualrian.ru

They look thrilled!

Photo credit: Hershey Bears Facebook Page

In early February, when Metallurg Novokuznetsk failed to reach the KHL playoffs, Dmitry Orlov worked out a deal with the team’s management. Instead of being sent down to the MHL to play for Metallurg’s affiliate during their playoff run, Orlov started his professional career in the Capitals’ organization to work towards his goal of becoming an NHL player.

He flew to America, and made his AHL debut with the Bears on February 27th. That night, Dima registered an assist, spent time on the power play, and had a first period so solid that Tim Leone called it “the best first 20 minutes from a 19-year-old D I’ve ever seen in this league.”

Orlov went on to total nine points in the remaining 19 games of the AHL regular season, and he experienced his first ever AHL playoff series, a 4-2 series loss to the Charlotte Checkers.

The six-foot Novokuznetsk native is now back in DC, participating in his first ever NHL Training Camp. I caught up with Hershey Bears Head Coach Mark French — the same man who guided the Bears to an AHL record 60 wins and the team’s eleventh Calder Cup in 2010 — and asked him about Orlov’s rookie season, what he needs to improve to make the NHL, and if Dima has the potential to be a 20-goal scorer in the NHL.

Ian Oland: How do you think Orlov did in Rookie Camp, in particular, the game against the Flyers?

Mark French: He played well. I think there were some areas of his game that we wanted to see improved, and we saw it steadily through camp, and I think it was a culmination in the game. I thought he was a difference-maker in the game. His strengths were his strengths in that game. He was an offensive threat virtually every time he was on the ice.

Ian Oland: What are the things that he needs to improve on to become a star in the NHL?

Mark French: I think we’ve seen the game against the Flyers. The Rookie game was a testament to the fact that he’s a very good player in his age level. I think he needs to do it consistently against men. Last year he started in the KHL and then he came and finished the year in Hershey. Things he gets away with at the junior level against junior age kids he won’t be able to get away with defensively at the NHL level: positioning and discipline. Defensive positioning is so much more important when you get to that level. He’ll need to refine his game and polish his game in those areas.

Ian Oland: What were your initial impressions of Dmitry in his first game with the Bears last year and the progression he showed even in that sixty minutes of play.

Mark French: I think everybody was taken aback — the impact that he immediately had at the American League level. I think the thing that struck me was that he was such a difference-maker. His top-end skill was immediately noticeable.

Ian Oland: Orlov got a lot of praise from the media after that game. Tim Leone was particularly impressed as well.

Mark French: I think those evaluations needed to be tempered a little bit. John Carlson was a pretty good young player that we had in Hershey as well. I think Dmitry’s got a lot of upside. What I really like about him that he has similar to John is he has a real swagger [on the ice]. They both don’t get intimidated by a situation. They both seem to rise to the occasion more than be intimidated by it. I think that’ll make him a very good hockey player.

Ian Oland: This year you guys are without Dmitry Krugyshev who served as a translator last year. How have you been communicating with him?

Mark French: It’s interesting. We obviously used Dmitry Krugyshev as a crutch last year. It was a huge asset for us to have. I think through training camp now, we have Galiev doing a lot of it. Once we get him to Hershey – well, if he ends up in Hershey – without that crutch of another Russian player it’s twofold. We’d love to have another Russian player there to help him out – but I think to go “cold turkey” on it and come to Hershey and not have anybody, I think it’ll force him to get a leg up on the English language a little bit quicker. I think it’ll be a good thing. We’ve seen a difference here already. He’s working with a tutor – an English tutor – which I think is very important. I think that’s the biggest thing. Once he can bridge that gap and he’s forced out on his own, we’ll see pretty big strides.

Ian Oland: If you’re lucky enough to have Dmitry in Hershey this year, do you have any particular player in mind to pair him with?

Mark French: That’s a great question. I think it is important. As much as we can coach from the bench, I think – especially for defensemen – to have a real good solid partner to talk to is really important to their development. To answer your question: no, we don’t. But we’d probably look to a veteran that would be able to shed some experience on the guy. Somebody who’s composed, a guy who can work with a young player real well.

Ian Oland: Do you think it’s possible that Dmitry Orlov could go over that 20-goal plateau someday in the NHL, maybe approach that 30-goal mark and have a year like Mike Green had a few years ago?

Mark French: Yeah. He’s got very, very good offensive instincts. And he’s got a willingness to take those risks. I think we’ve got to temper [our expectations]. As much as we want his game to improve defensively, we know he’s going to be defined by his offensive game. I think he’s got a lot of similarities to some very good offensive defensemen. He’s got an unbelievable skill set.

A little later today, we’ll be posting a companion piece to this post, where Dmitry Orlov responds and expands upon what Coach French said here.

Dima participates in a drill during the first day of Development Camp.

Photos by Chris Gordon

When Metallurg Novokuznetsk’s season ended in early February without a playoff berth, Dmitry Orlov had two options. He could finish the year in Russia again with Metallurg’s MHL affiliate, the Novokuznetsk Bears, or begin his professional career in North America. After dominating the KHL’s junior circuit and winning the Davydov trophy as the MHL Playoff MVP in 2009-10, Dima needed a new challenge. So he negotiated an agreement with his KHL club and flew over to America to sign a contract with the Washington Capitals.

On February 27th, Orlov impressed fans and media alike in his AHL debut against the Albany Devils. Not only did he register a point in his first game as a Hershey Bear, he inspired The Patriot-News’s Tim Leone to exclaim,”That’s the best first 20 minutes from a 19-year-old D I’ve ever seen in this league.” Orlov went on to score his first AHL goal — ten days later — on March 9th against the Worchester Sharks and finished the year with nine points in 19 games.

After taking a brief vacation in Turkey, the defensive prospect is back in America, and participating in his third Development Camp. So far, the reports are positive.

“He’s in a lot better shape and he’s lighter and in better condition than he was in the other camps,” Bruce Boudreau told reporters Monday. “I think he wants to make a real good impression. He was always going back to Russia, but now he knows he’s here. He wants to make the team.”

One problem remains, however. Orlov still has a limited grasp of English, which can make instruction difficult, at times, for the coaches. While in Hershey, Orlov lived with fellow Russian-born winger Dmitry Kugryshev, who offered help with translating. In Development Camp, Stanislav Galiev has filled a similar role.

“You know, the thing [we're looking for] is a better understanding of the game because of the language barrier,” Boudreau explained. “And to see if he understands [English] a little bit better than last year or the year before. If he understands it, we know he can play and he can shoot and he can stand up and hit. And he’s got great hockey sense. It’s just the communication part that I’m a little worried about sometimes.”

RMNB’s own Igor Kleyner caught up with Orlov after his first day of Development Camp to discuss his training regiment, thoughts on the AHL and what words in English he does understand. Below, we offer the translation of his conversation.

Igor Kleyner: You cut your summer vacation a bit short this year, didn’t you? Why?
Dmitry Orlov: I wanted to start training a bit earlier this time. I have been here since the 28th of June, training with the strength coach Mark Nemish. We have been getting ready for the [developmnent] camp, both skating and in the gym. Today was the first day, it was a bit easier… It is going to be a difficult season for me, I want to make the main team in Washington, that’s why I started so early, I hope it is going to help me.

Dmitry Orlov skates backwards during a drill on Day 1 of Caps Development camp.

IK: Coach Boudreau was talking to the press about you, and he pointed out that this time around your conditioning improved significantly.
DO: I agree, this year, after the season ended, within a week I started working out again. I always worked on my conditioning during the summer, but this year I changed a few things, and I feel better. In any case, I am 20-years old now, a bit older, so my physical conditioning should have improved.

IK: If it is not a secret, what were those changes in your conditioning program this summer?
DO: Well, I used to not skate during summer time, I tried to rest more, and did some swimming. This summer, I skated four times a week, so now it’s easier for me to return to the ice. I feel very good during practice, because I am in good physical condition.

IK: Lets go back to the last season for a second… the last time we talked to you was after your first game for Hershey. Having now played for a couple of months in North America, and even getting to try yourself in playoffs, how do you compare the game here with hockey in Russia, how different is it?
DO: Well, the KHL is definitely stronger than AHL, but the AHL is also quite a special league, a lot of guys are doing everything they possibly can to make it to the NHL, and work very hard in a gym, so they are very strong physically. There is a lot of physical play everywhere on the ice, in the corners, every meter of the ice surface is contested, so it is very hard… And in the playoffs it was particularly hard for me, you can say it was the first ever real playoff series for me. I realized that the regular season and the playoffs are two completely different games. In the playoffs, it’s all about the team. And there is even more physical play than during the regular season, and the defense is even more important. The whole game is built from defense. Very few risky plays where you can get caught out of position, everybody works very hard. It is a very interesting game. You have to work hard and give it all, but if you win – the emotions… you feel good.

Bruce Boudreau teaches; Group B listens.

IK: Everybody wants to know how well you understand the coach. Did you watch the Winter Classic last year?
DO: Yes, we were at WJC when it took place on January 1st, so we all watched it. It was very interesting.

IK: Did you get a chance to see the HBO documentary 24/7 Penguins/Capitals: The Road to the Winter Classic?
DO: Yes, I did see some of it, not everything, but it was interesting, too.

IK: So, as the fans found out from the show, the coach Boudreau really likes to use quite “colorful” language when explaining the task to his players – you know, the words that get replaced with bleeps during the daytime broadcast… How well do you think you can understand that kind of English?
DO: Just fine. Those are even easier to understand than regular words! [laughing]

IK: Last question. Your 20th birthday is coming up in a couple of weeks. What would be your birthday wish for yourself?
DO: Well, to stay healthy, avoid injuries, and to make the main team.

IK: Thank you very much, and good luck to you.
DO: Thanks.

Additional reporting by Ian Oland.

Orlov in action with the Hershey Bears (Photo credit: Ian Oland).

The 2010-11 season was a whirlwind for young defenseman Dmitry Orlov. The Novokuznetsk, Russia native started the season at Capitals Development Camp in July before going on to play for the Kontinental Hockey League’s Metallurg Novokuznetsk, tallying two goals and 10 assists in the regular season. In December, Orlov joined Team Russia at the World Junior Championships. The Caps’ 2009 second-round pick was a standout, playing on Russia’s top defensive pairing and being named first-team all WJC as the Ruskies went on to win the gold medal.

Metallurg, however, had an awful season, finishing with the worst record in the KHL. Instead of joining Metallurg’s minor league club, the Novokuznetsk Bears, at the end of the season, Orlov reached an agreement to play for the Capitals’ AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears. Orlov played in 25 games for the Bears, including six in the postseason, tallying two goals and eight assists.

Below, Igor translates Orlov’s interview with Metallurg’s official site, where the 19 year-old discusses his first season in North America and what next year holds.

Metallurg-nk.ru — Dmitry, how did everything go with your new team?

Dmitry Orlov — When I came to Hershey, there were 21 games left in the season. I played in 19 — the last two I missed because of a small injury, the coaches let me rest, prepare for the playoffs. It’s bad that we were knocked out in the first round. More was expected from us, especially since the Hershey Bears won the cup for two years in a row. But we couldn’t do it for a third time.

Most importantly for me, I signed a contract and tried myself out in the AHL. I am delighted. The conditions were excellent. In addition, there was another Russian guy on the team [Ed. note: Dmitri Kugryshev]. He helped me settle, translated coaches instructions and generally assisted with the language when I did not understand something.

As far as hockey specifically, at first it was difficult. First of all, the road trips are all by a bus, the schedule is very tight, a few games one after another, with no time left for recuperating. Secondly, the pressure during the games is crazy. A lot of them were one-goal games, often decided in overtime. The game is very physical. It took some time to fully settle in, because hockey there is very different from Russia’s. But, I have to admit, I like the North American style better. I am glad I left. I have time to make it to the NHL. It’s a worthy goal. But even if I have to play some more in the AHL — the coaches in Hershey are counting on me.

Metallurg-nk.ru — You spent some time with the Washington Capitals…

Orlov — I came to Hershey one day before their next scheduled game, but they decided to give me some time for acclimatization, so I watched that game from the stands. And then the team went on a road trip and I did not have a Canadian visa yet so they told me I am going to stay with the Capitals. I was of course surprised, but even more so by how well I, a stranger, was treated by the team. I did not expect it. In Russia it would be different. I saw my dream, what I should strive for. I was there for three practices. Sometimes it was hard, but I managed to get through. I met Ovechkin, Semin, Varlamov. Good guys.

Metallurg-nk.ru — As a rookie from Russia, did you get any special reception from the fans?

Orlov — I wouldn’t say it was particularly special, but the fact that they started recognizing me right away — that was surprising. I had just arrived, spent the game in the stands and that very evening they were asking me for autographs, congratulating me on my new contract. After every game they were always very supportive, complimentary of my play.

Metallurg-nk.ru — How will you spend your off-season?

Orlov — July 15 I start my training camp in America. Then I come home for a little bit and then I leave for the rest of the season. Of course, I will also work out on my own and when I get to Washington I’ll be working with a personal trainer, preparing for the regular season. The next season will be very hard and probably the defining one for my career.

Additional reporting by Chris Gordon.

Orlov took in his first ever AHL game tonight at Giant Center. (Photo by SHOE’s Kyle M.)

Since being drafted in the second round of the 2009 draft by the Capitals Dmitri Orlov has emerged as one of the top defensive prospects in Washington’s system, spurred by his solid play across the pond. Last year after Kontinental Hockey League’s Metallurg Novokuznetsk failed to qualify for the playoffs, the club decided to send him down to the Novokuznetsk Bears of the MHL, the KHL’s developmental league. After totaling only four goals and three assists in 43 KHL games, Orlov quickly found his game in the junior circuit, leading the Bears to the MHL Finals.

Orlov’s nine goals and 10 assists in the playoffs ranked him third among all skaters. He was awarded several top honors including the Davydov trophy as the MHL Playoff MVP and was also named the best defenseman of the MHL Finals and Semifinals.

Dima — as some fans know him — followed up his successful 2009-10 with two goals and 10 assists for Metallurg in 2010-11. Orlov also won a gold medal at the 2011 World Junior Championships with the U20 Russian National Team, playing on the top defensive pairing. He was named first-team all WJC along with fellow Caps prospect Evgeny Kuznetsov.

Since Metallurg once again failed to make the playoffs this year and finished with the KHL’s worst record, Orlov and the club reached an agreement allowing him to start his professional career in the Capitals organization earlier than expected. On Saturday, he flew to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania before taking in Sunday’s Hershey Bears game against the Charlotte Checkers at Giant Center. Orlov is expected to officially sign with the Bears of the American Hockey League on Monday.

This is not Orlov’s first stint in America. He attended the Capitals 2009 and 2010 Development Camps, winning over Caps fans with his love of cupcakes in the process.

RMNB’s resident translator Igor Kleyner translated the 19 year-old Novokuznetsk native’s final interview with Metallurg before departing for the United States. Check it out below the jump.

Dmitri Orlov poses with the 2011 World Junior Championship Trophy

Dmitri Orlov, Metallurg’s defenseman and a winner of 2011 World Junior Championship, is departing for the farm team of the Washington Capitals on Saturday. That’s where he will spend the rest of the season.

According to Metallurg’s sporting director Leonid Veisfeld, the interests of the young players must always be considered. If Dmitri Orlov wants to play overseas, he should be given a chance and the team’s management will not stand in his way of achieving his dream. The team and the player are parting ways amicably: Dmitri knows that if things do not work out for him on the other side of the ocean he is always welcome in his hometown. Especially since Metallurg will retain the rights for the player in Russia. Dmitri will attempt to make the Capitals’ roster for the next season but it is quite possible that it will take a few months and the road to the spot with the main team will go through the farm club. If he succeeds, everybody at Metallurg will be happy for him. If not, he can come back any time. Time will tell if Dmitri’s decision to attempt the move to the NHL, especially one of its stronger teams, was the right one.

Before his departure for the North America, Dmitri Orlov answered a few questions.

Question – Dmitri, Metallurg finished the last in the regular season, it is of course a disappointing result. But how do you see your season personally?

Dmitri Orlov – In principle, I am satisfied, especially since it’s not over for me yet. One of the main tasks was to play as well as possible at the World Junior Championship, try to win the gold — and it was accomplished. Yes, sometimes it was pretty difficult. We were losing a lot at Metallurg, it wasn’t easy psychologically. But I tried to come out for every game and play my game.

Now I am going to America, I’ll be playing for the Washington Capitals farm team — Hershey. I am going to spend three months there, then we can make conclusions about my season. Let’s see how I do there.

Question – Do you have any concerns before your departure for Hershey?

Dmitri Orlov – Of course, I am worried. I am sure it’s not going to be easy. I don’t even know where I am going to live. I have to make the line-up, prove everything all over again. Hershey is a leader in the AHL, with grownups playing. It won’t be easy.

Up until now I have played my whole life in Novokuznetsk. I was born and grew up here. It was good to join the first team at such early age, you can say I got lucky. I broke my collarbone during the season before joining the first team, didn’t play for a long time, really struggled to recover, gained some extra weight, and as a result, had a lot of problems in training. After a week of practicing with the second team, they said that Maxim Kitsin and I are being transferred to Metallurg; I was of course very happy, but at the same time worried a lot. I remember my first practice with the first team, it was a cross country 10 kilometers run, I finished last — I was always a bad runner — so I wasn’t particularly upset about it. Then, I show up for the second practice, and the doctor tells me: “Eagle, pack your bags, the coach is not happy with you, you are going back to the second team.” The second practice was a game, I think we were playing team handball… but in the end, they just let it go, I was always finishing the cross country runs the last. So they eventually kept me in the first team, thanks to [Metallurg head coach] Sergey Alekseevich Nikolaev at the time. You can say he opened the door into the big hockey for me.

Of course I am very thankful to my parents, brother, grandparents — they always have been and will be very supportive. They help me with advice in both hockey and life. When I was a little kid, my father recorded all my games on video, then we watched and analyzed together. Now we don’t have to record anything ourselves, but we still watch my games with my father, he always points out my mistakes. He never played the game himself, but he understands the game well and always gives me advice.

I am also grateful to my first coach — Vladimir Georgievich Efimov — he worked with me, of course not everything was always perfect between us — but that’s normal. And my next coach, Valery Nikolaevich Kalashnikov, he worked with me for a year. He always took good care of me, helped and supported me, saw my potential.

Question – What would you like to wish for Metallurg and its supporters?

Dmitri Orlov – For the team, to make playoffs, to keep the fans happy, to fill the arena. You must have proper finances for that. There always have been and should be hockey in Novokuznetsk. It’s a hockey town. I hope for the best.

Additional reporting by Ian Oland; editing by Chris Gordon.

After having to sit through a month of KHL regular season games, RMNB finally got the matchup they’ve been waiting for Tuesday, as two of their favorite Russian Caps Prospects faced off against one another. 2009 Second Round Draft Pick Dmitri Orlov and Metallurg Novokuznetsk played 2010 First Round Draft Pick Evgeny Kuznetsov and Traktor in Chelyabinsk.

Both prospects faired well early in the game. Kuznetsov had a beautiful, primary assist (his first of the year) on the game’s opening goal scored by Alexei Tertyshny. If you take a look at the game highlights above and fast forward to the 16 second mark, you’ll see Kuz, #92, take a pass behind the net, curl multiple times (a la Michael Nylander) before handing the puck off to a charging Tertyshny. Tertyshny then skated hard towards the slot, unleashed a wrist shot that was blocked, found his own rebound in his legs and then fired a backhander past a sprawled Alexander Vyukhin. 1-0 Traktor.

However, five and a half minutes later Metallurg responded on the powerplay. Again if you refer to the above highlights around the 53 second mark, you’ll see Dmitri Orlov, #9, help bring the puck into the offensive zone. After some dump and chase, Metallurg regained possession of the puck in the corners and set up their powerplay. After multiple passes around the perimeter, Orlov found Ruslan Khasanshin down low. Khasanshin, with no other play available, passed back to Dima who decided to wind up and fire a shot from the point. Orlov’s wicked, Gonchar-esque slapshot found its way past former NHL goaltender Sebastien Caron short-side. Orlov’s first goal of the season tied the game up 1-1 and also brought some momentum back for Metallurg, who was badly outplayed in the first period.

After the second period passed without a marker, Metallurg scored back-to-back goals in the third. 17 year old defenseman Zakhar Arzamastsev notched a nifty, unassisted goal while Vaclav Nedorost scored on the powerplay. Metallurg led 3-1. With 6 minutes left in the game, Gennady Razin brought Traktor back to within one goal with a slapshot from the point after a brilliant end-to-end rush by Yegor Dugin.

With 56 seconds left and Metallurg serving a penalty, Traktor was in prime position to tie it up. Head Coach Andrey Sidorenko pulled Caron and Traktor enjoyed a 6 on 4 advantage. Evgeny Kuznetsov wound up having the two best scoring chances, but could not find the back of the net. First, he missed on a shot from the slot, and then with 4 seconds left, he missed on a wraparound. Metallurg Novokuznetsk wins 3-2.

Head-to-Head stats:

Goals/Shots: Orlov – 1/2 – 50%, Kuznetsov – 0/5 – 0%;
Assists: Orlov – 0, Kuznetsov – 1;
TOI: Orlov – 18:29, Kuznetsov – 10:41;

Special Notes: Metallurg, considered one of the worst teams in the league, won despite the fact that they had only 14 shots on goal… Three of Metallurg’s best players weren’t able to be with the team Tuesday. The players had visa issues that prevented them from getting back home from Astana where they had just played Barys.

On September 16th, Dmitri Orlov was awarded the Vitaly Davydov Trophy for being the MVP of last year’s MHL Playoffs. As we detailed last spring, Dima had 19 points in 17 games (10G, 9A) and lead all MHL defenseman in scoring. He even won the award despite the Novokuznetsk Bears losing in the Kharlamov Cup Finals. In a special ceremony before the Bears Home opener against the Auto Ekaterinburg, Orlov was presented the trophy in front of the team’s fans.

We here at RMNB would get all analytical and compare Orlov to the previous award-winners to find the relevance in all of this, but last year was the MHL’s first year of existence. So there goes that. But how about the trophy? Well The Davydov is unique because unlike other cups, it’s made using a special style of ceramics called Gzhel. Gzhel is a traditional style of pottery and is very popular with tourists in Moscow.

Anyways, the MHL’s official web site posted an interview with the future Cap after the trophy presentation and RMNB has it translated for you below.

Dmitri Orlov: Honestly, I didn’t think I’d win this award. But it’s a very pleasant surprise for sure. I got to know that I became the playoffs MVP accidentally – my parents read about it in the Web and told me. I was either at [Caps Development] camp or on vacation, I don’t remember.

Mikhail Frunze: Did the award somehow smooth over the loss in the Kharlamov Cup Finals?
DO: No, you can’t compare the two, because the team’s result is always the most important.

MF: How often do you think about the playoffs and what were your feelings?
DO: I did replay the finals in my mind for a long time. Probably, more than a week. I felt uncomfortable. I got back to myself only during vacation. And now it’s a new season, new goals.

MF: About the goals: What are yours for this season?
DO: The most important one is to play for Team Russia on the World Junior Championships and fight for the medals there. We played bad last year. And, for sure, I should make the KHL playoffs with Metallurg, we have a good team, I think we can.

MF: How do you grade the start of the season for you personally?
DO: You always want to play better. We’re ready, we feel good. We help each other, cheer up. But we lost the first two games. In the third we won over CSKA in the shootout, earned two points and that was a very important win.

MF: During the camp in Switzerland three more Novokuznetsk Bears — Konstantin Turukin, Ilya Musin and Igor Glazkov, joined the KHL team. How did that go?
DO: Very good, we had great talks and there was no “violence against younger conscripts” [Ed. Note: In Russia the whole sentence is described by one word].

MF: Do you think this season will be easier or harder for the Bears?
DO: It’s a new one, and it’s difficult to say. Guys are getting ready for the season, they’re revving up. When the playoffs come, it’ll be different games. And the first MHL season showed it.

NOM NOM NOM. (Photo by Chris Gordon of Caps Snaps)

We’ve been fascinated by Dmitri Orlov since Fedor told us that Metallurg fans call him the Russian Bobby Orr.  As ludicrous as that title is, we can’t help but be impressed by the offensive-minded d-man called Dima.  His partner at development camp, Joe Finley, compared Dmitri to John Carlson and Mike Green, but he did point out the difficulties in communication.  Unlike Stan Galiev, Dmitri is not comfortable with English, only the universal language of cupcakes.  That’s why our pal Oksana Zolotar chatted Orlov up in the tongue of the motherland.

Follow us past the jump where we’ll learn about Dmitri’s trouble buying out his contract and overcoming his 5’10″ frame.  Please note that Oksana refrains from asking Dima about Ian’s weird fixation on him.  Also, don’t forget to check out our interviews with Evgeny Kuznetsov and Stanislav Galiev if you missed them.

Oksana Zolotar: What are your impressions of Washington? America, in general? I know it’s your second time, has anything changed?
Dmitri Orlov: No, nothing has changed really. I like everything. I would want to play here, but I have to figure out several problems with my team so I could come here.  I need to buy out my contract. It’s a big amount that I can’t really give them right now. I’m still thinking because it’s not an easy decision for me, so we’ll see.

Dmitri Orlov seems eager to play in North America this year. (Photo by Neil Greenberg)

OZ: Do you still have any trouble with the communication? Language barrier?
DO: Yeah, of course, I do. I barely know the English language; I don’t understand too much. Stas (Stanislav Galiev) translates because he’s already played here for two years, and Zhenya (Evgeny Kuznetsov) has been in New York and has been studying it for a long time. I tried to study it a lot this year, but it wasn’t that easy.

OZ: Is it easier than last year?
DO: Well yeah, I understand much more, but I still can’t say much.

OZ: When the season’s over, do you relax a little bit in terms of training? Or keep at the same rate?
DO: As soon as the season ended, I went on vacation.

OZ: What do you think you have to work on to reach the next level? What weaknesses do you have?
DO: Well, I think I have to get stronger physically. I’m not that tall.  If I want to play in America, they have grown men that play here, much taller than me, bigger than me, so I need to get ready physically.

Dima tries to shoot the puck through traffic during Saturday's Scrimmage.

OZ: Next year, what are your goals.  What are your plans?
DO: For now, I don’t know anything about next season; we’re discussing everything with my team, and Washington, and making decisions. But I want to play here.

OZ: From what I know, you still have a contract with Mettallurg, can you give us a little more details?
DO: The contract is for two more years, but I said that I want to try myself here. They’re telling me to buy out the contract. They’re offering different options for me to stay home, but I think I still want to try here.

OZ: If you were to compare yourself to a famous player, who would it be? Why?
DO: Well I don’t know, I can’t compare myself, I think the professionals should be comparing me to someone, I just play the best that I can.

OZ: Dima, what about the number 9? Does it mean anything? Or is it just a number?
DO: No.  I just like the number, and I’ve played with it for several years… I just like the number.

OZ: What about the Russian guys that are training with you? Did you already know them? Or just meet them here?
DO: I’ve known Zhenya for a long time now, but me and Stas just met. He’s a great guy and I like spending time with them. Last year, Dima Kugryshev, who is having visa problems this year, was here. We had a good relationship, he helped me a lot with English translations.

OZ: What about the Russians here? Do you know Ovechkin? Semin?
DO: No, I haven’t met them yet.

Also, make sure to check out Caps Snaps’ profile of Dmitri Orlov which touches on Dima’s childhood and improved conditioning.