The Washington Capitals want to give defenseman Dmitry Orlov an expanded role on the blue line, but first he needs a contract.

Head coach Barry Trotz said Tuesday that the two sides are still talking, and Orlov has a great opportunity to play a bigger part in the Capitals' defensive corps, reports Tarik El-Bashir of CSN Mid-Atlantic.

Trotz said he sees the 25-year-old taking a top-four role, paired with either Matt Niskanen or John Carlson, according to Isabelle Khurshudyan of the Washington Post.

Orlov, selected 55th overall in the 2009 draft, enjoyed his most successful NHL campaign last season, suiting up in all 82 games while setting career highs in goals (eight) and assists (21).

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