Washington Capitals defenseman Dmitry Orlov has been nominated for the Bill Masterton Trophy, given annually by the Pro Hockey Writers’ Association to the NHL player who has best demonstrated the “qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.”
Orlov, 24, has played in all 75 games for the Capitals this season, scoring eight goals and picking up 20 assists. After originally joining Nate Schmidt as the Capitals’ third defensive pair, he saw his ice time increase following injuries to Brooks Orpik and John Carlson and has spent the past six weeks playing alongside Orpik.
He missed all of last season as he recovered from surgery on a broken left wrist sustained while playing for Russia in the IIHF World Championships in May 2014.