The Washington Capitals are scratching defenseman Dmitry Orlov and forward Garnet Hathaway for Thursday's game against the Anaheim Ducks for trade-related reasons, the team announced.
Deals for either player don't appear to be imminent. Protecting assets has become a theme across the NHL leading up to March 3, with Jakob Chychrun and Luke Schenn, among others, finding themselves in the press box as their respective teams navigate trade waters.
Both Orlov and Hathaway are pending unrestricted free agents.
Orlov carries a $5.1-million cap hit, and has been one of Washington's top defenders for years. This season, he's chipped in 19 points, 62 blocks, and 88 hits while averaging nearly 23 minutes per contest.
Hathaway earns $1.5 million per year, and is a useful bottom-six player. The rugged right winger has recorded 16 points and 198 hits in 2022-23.
A five-game losing streak has dropped the Capitals two points back of the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference entering Thursday's game.
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