Media Availability (7/9): Orlov

Media Availability (7/9): Orlov

Hey, Dmitri Shangpang, San Jose Hockey. Now, welcome to San Jose. Thank you. M I wanted to ask you first, what made you decide to choose to sign with the Sharks? Did you hear me right now? Yeah, I can hear you. Because I was turn off my microphone. I don’t know why. Uh, can you repeat the question, please? Sorry. Sure, no problem. What made you decide to sign with the San Jose Sharks? Uh, you know, I been long enough in this league, you know, and try to figure out what’s best for me for my family and obviously, you know, in a free agency, it’s always kind of you know what’s exactly going to happen. and you know I talk to my family you know because it’s uh far away you know I used always play in Eastern conference you know and right now it’s moved to western you know it’s different and uh and we actually pretty excited you know you know like I know it’s kind of rebuild but you know you got have a young a lot of good youngs players and obviously for me you know it’s I just want to change a little bit and especially like last two years it wasn’t easy for me mentally So I kind of just try to move far away and you know with new team with new basically life for me lifestyle more travel you know and I just uh it’s going to be interesting and I actually pretty excited for that. What’s been hard the last three years? Uh, you know, not three years, two years. I said, you know, when I send in Raleigh, you know, kind of, you know, you expect one thing, you know, when you not showing up, you can play or coaches not believe in you, you know, and it’s kind of always the battle, you know, and then everybody have own story and own career. So I learn on my way you know and uh I just need to be more focused as a older guy more experienced you know I expect one thing but you need to just focus on by day basically you know and uh you know you cannot look too far it’s what I done it and I think it was a mistake so right now you know it’s a new chapter new fresh start for me with a new team you know and young team too so it’s uh going to be new experience for me and uh you know I will learn a lot too from that. Is your family excited by the weather in California too? That that will be much different than the east coast. Uh yeah for sure but my family live kind of last couple years back and forth with Raleigh and Florida. So they kind of familiar a little bit. Uh but yeah, for sure it’s uh you know, especially I from Siberia, you know, you always dream about once lived in a warm spot, you know, so we got great opportunity in San Jose and uh yeah, hope we’re going to like it and enjoy it. Uh for yourself, uh how much of a adjustment do you think it’ll be? Um, you mentioned the rebuild yourself. Uh, you’ve been to the playoffs every year in the last decade and so how much of a adjustment will that be joining a team like this that is in a rebuild? Uh it’s going to be interesting obviously you know and I I talked to you know coaches and gym and stuff you know a little bit but you know when I going to get there you know you’re going to know more system what they expect from you you know and you just need to bring it and help young players and I think uh you know I take Bren Burns you know he give me a lot of good advices about the organization you know so it’s kind of helped me out to to understand what’s going on and u you know so it’s uh you know every year in your life you have to learn something doesn’t matter it’s off ice on ice or different things in the world you know so it’s uh for sure I’m excited for that and uh just need to figure out how to move everything from rally to San Jose but I think it’s going to be easy and I think all the team going to help me out so yeah what’s the best advice that Brent Burns gave you about San Jose he said he loves it you know the area you know the organization and kids too so it’s you know like he’s family guy you know and you know I have my wife kid you know who’s grow fast every year you know he loves hockey so and you know so make sure we’re going to find a good school for him you know he enjoy it and uh we’re going to help him out and obviously you know it’s uh you want to win you know and uh as as a player and uh for sure we try to get some wins and hope we’re going to get confidence, you know, we’re going to get some help from each other, you know, and uh because it’s a team sport. It’s never easy and I think it’s going to be a lot of things in the system, you know, the coach is going to show it and um hope everything going to work out and we’ll see what’s going to happen. Demetri, welcome to San Jose. Look forward to meeting you. Thank you, Curtis. Hi, Demetri. This is uh Curtis Pashulka from the San Jose Mercury News. Thank you so much for for doing this today. Um I just wanted to ask um you know at the end of your contract um did you kind of know that uh your time in Carolina was was going to be over that maybe you wouldn’t resign there? Uh you know honestly it’s past already. you know I don’t like talk about what’s happened on that time you know yes we kind of never have actually talk to resign so you know so let’s do not come back for that you know right now I’m have a future with San Jose and uh you know it’s only my focus you know get ready for the season and know my teammates new coaching staff you know and I’m pretty excited for that what were the first uh you a couple of days of free agency like for you? You obviously started on July 1st. Um, were you getting a lot of offers or what was the what were those first couple of days like for you? I think it’s always stress you know you try to figure out you’re waiting just for the calls you talk to agent what’s going on what’s the rumor says you know and obviously just waiting some going to offer you something and then they go start negotiation you know and also soon I hear something you know I start talk to my wife what’s best for us what we’re going to do you know because you know if I’m I’m alone you know it’s a different story but when you have a family you have to make better for yourself and also include your family. So, it’s was our decision and um yeah, we pretty excited to move to San Jose. When did uh when did the Sharks uh reach out to to you and your agents about uh you know, the possibility of of uh of coming to San Jose? Oh, honestly, you know, it was a lot of stress still, you know, and I hard to remember what exactly day it was. I think I signed on July 2nd, you know, and actually I was signing in the plane when I tried to fly with my son to my hometown and I was already start to basically get up and I have my phone with me and I try to sign the contract. It was pretty funny. Then like soon we go up and uh all the connection my phone get locked. So I don’t have Wi-Fi and everything. So I didn’t know if it’s go through or not. So I was waiting when we land make sure my agent text me like yeah everything fine you sign contract and everything good. So I can tell you that I think it’s pretty funny. How long was that flight? Was it a longer flight than you wanted it to be? From Moscow to my hometown is like 4 hours flight. Four hours. Oh okay. Okay. Um you know one of the one of the problems the Sharks had last season was protecting third period leads. Um, you know, with with yourself and a couple other veteran defenseman, the Sharks brought in, Nick Ley, uh, and John Clingberg. Um, how much do you think you guys could help the Sharks and just trying to protect more third period leads? I mean, it’s important. It’s all about experience, all about emotion, control your emotions, you know, and uh, it’s come from more games you play, more you understand. So it’s uh simple than that, you know, and I just make sure everybody believe in each other, help each other, you know, and block some shots, you know, play smart, don’t make risk plays in a certain areas, certain ice time, how long you get till the game ends, you know. So it’s all these little things together make a difference. And uh you know, I think we should be better than last year for sure. And I hope so. We’re going to get build everything, build a organization, build the confidence and uh you know it’s going to be interesting for me. You know, I think I’m older player in the team, so it’s kind of going to be good experience for me. Right. Right. Do you know anybody on on the Sharks roster? Uh not really. I obviously play against them. I know the I met last year with Ascarov, so it been their time. Yeah. Um what uh we were talking to John Clingberg last week and he said that you know even though he’s been in the league for for 11 12 years he still feels that maybe he has something to prove uh at this stage of his career. Do you feel the same way that you still have something to prove uh uh going into uh I think it was your 15th year this year? Yes, 15 for sure. You’re always hungry for the wins. You’re always hungry to be around with the players, with your friends inside of the team, you know, because it’s always your second family basically. Sometimes you spend more time with them than you actually family. So yeah, I love hockey. I love play and you know it’s winning. It’s always fun and I think it’s important as a team sport. It’s never easy especially you come from rebuild or something you know and uh especially like help the young players too and obviously we got them we got obviously great skills players and they can going to be superstars in this leagues make sure just make sure they got feel comfortable they know what to do in the right time and it’s going to be in the future you know you uh u sharks have a lot of left shot defenseman I guess are you’re fairly comfortable uh playing on your right side if if needed. Is that fair to say? Yeah. Yeah. I play left trade so it’s never issue. I actually play against San Jose last season in San Jose play on the right side. Start game at the right side. So I was feeling fine. All my life I play in Russia on the right side. So first time I start playing is when I came in US. So it’s 15 years ago basically. Okay. Okay. Uh, have you talked to Ryan Warski, the coach, about your role and how much uh uh, you know, you you might be playing this year in terms of ice time? Uh yeah, we met we talk a little bit on the phone, you know, but you not never have a like big conversation and you know all full picture of what’s going to happen, you know, and obviously sometimes you can say one thing, you know, some things could be, you know, and uh I know it’s my career, you know, been long enough in the league. So you just need that play hard, you know, play good. And if you’re going to be do that, you know, and play for your teammates, then you’re going to have your ice time and make sure you succeed and, you know, make sure you play for your teammates. It’s most important. Okay. Thank you, Demetri. I appreciate your time. Thank you, Max. Hey, Demetri. It’s uh Max Miller from managehell.com and Sharks Hockey Digest. Welcome to San Jose. Um, I just wanted to to ask you, you mentioned just kind of mentally and and just how maybe it was more of a struggle in in Carolina lately, just, you know, playing with with young players like Min Cellerrini and Will Smith and and maybe Michael Misa. How much does that kind of motivate you to to kind of be a leader on a young team like this and really kind of rejuvenate some joy in the game again almost? Well, you know, it’s actually interesting because when I came in the league, you know, game changed already and you can see this young players, they got so much skill, so much speed at that age, you know, think we don’t have that and that time, you know, some guys have the superstars and, you know, like I always been working hard to play all my years in the league, you know, and stay healthy most of the time, you know, and improve. you should be be in this league, you know, and it’s going to be fun for me to see them in the practice, you know, madam what they can do, you know, at the practice, make sure they bring it at the game time, too. And uh it’s like I said, it’s going to be first time and going to be older player on the team and I actually pretty excited to see what’s going to happen and uh make sure we have fun, you know. It’s most important thing, you know, and it’s sometimes we’re going to lose, you know, some bad games. It’s learning. It’s everywhere, you know, and um more and quicker we do that, it’s going to help us in a in a future and in a good years. Um, one thing that the Sharks have brought in with the defense is Stanley Cup pedigree, right? You and and Nick Letty and obviously Jungle Clingberg was there last year. From that perspective, how much does bringing in a player like that who’s gone far in the playoffs or want to see in the cup like yourself can you provide to a young team like this? Uh I mean yeah they both great players you know good skaters a lot of skill and I think it’s good for team for decor and obviously it’s a lot of common from Done covers you know how your demand play you know how they can join the rush or defend the rush you know defend the line so it’s a big things you know more better gap you have you know more box you’re going to take away from other teams and you know our quick skill for us can explode the other defense, you know. So, yeah, we for sure we’re going to need to do a lot of good stuff, you know, as a defenseman and uh you know, better work and we’re going to be together and it’s going to be help us to score more goals or give up less chances. Um um um you know part of something that you mentioned to me that you know was interesting to me is just that opportunity here just with kind of a change for you the opportunity here but um I don’t know how much you keep track of obviously contracts and things like that but you’re um sorry there’s a there’s a leaf blower going on outside my house right now if you hear that I apologize. Yeah. um you’re the only defenseman signed through, you know, this year and next year on the team. To me, that that shows like you’re one of the, you know, one of the top guys on this team. How does that make you feel in terms of change? Uh I think I don’t need to change anything from my game, you know, just uh you know, try to play hard, maybe help some young guys if they need to, but usually they find, you know, they got coaches for that. But make sure our locker room you know together if something bad going on happen you know and uh you know but uh mentally I don’t think I need to change anything to show you know just enjoy the game and uh playing hard for each other and uh you know if we’re going to do that if we got a good system you know to help us to win some games you know defensively and offensively. So it’s all things important you know power play penalty guil obviously the goal is you know we got nidashkovic right now so he’s been good you know last few years in the league and I think we just make sure we find a good relationship you know and uh you know it’s everything kind of good happen um one of the things that you know you’re known for is hitting um what do you remember about the the the Sharks you know style of play that physicality and maybe just with some of younger defense, do you feel like you can bring in some of that physicality? Obviously, you have the hip checks are are, you know, viral and things like that. I mean, what what about San Jose style do you feel like that can be added to and and kind of go back to to helping, you know, going back to what Curtis said, those third period leads and holding on to leads with a young team? Yeah. Uh physical part of the game it’s important you know and uh especially when you go farther and but game change a little bit you know more fastest players smaller players you know but sometime you don’t have to make a big heat you just have to little bit maybe a little bump you know so make sure you stop the play not give him chance to jump on a rush you know demon or centerman so little things you know that do a lot a big experience guys you know if you look at playoff time you know these little things make a big difference you know and then you don’t have to work that much harder you know if you just kind of make a loop so this little things you know it’s uh important in this game and u yeah and you know I think it’s coaches for sure going to help us and show us what to do and uh so it’s uh but like you said yeah it’s if you have a chance to hit you know you don’t have to kill anybody but if you have a chance to hit you know, stop the P and you know, it’s bring positive energy to the bench. Um, last one for me and and it it it’s kind of going back to to a few things and I apologize. I’ve been a little bit all over the place. Um, but last year it was interesting to me. Another another Russian player the Sharks had was Nikolai Kovaleno who doesn’t look like he’s coming back next season, but um he he went through some some mental struggles, but you know, stayed involved and and and invested in a sports psychologist. Is that something that that you’ve looked into or thought about or has it mostly just been speaking with your family and things like that? Uh probably talk with your family or something you just keep in your mind try to you know battle through something mentally on yourself. It’s, you know, everybody’s different especially right now it’s get more and more unpopular you know if you cannot help yourself probably yeah you need to see somebody or talk to somebody and it’s uh important you know make sure you not lose yourself you know and uh yeah everybody needs some help somebody can speak up somebody keep it to the self and battle for that and make sure just everybody know what to do what’s the best and I think that all organizations have that people around who can help it, you know, and uh it’s uh you know, it’s all about health too, you know. You don’t you don’t want to lose the people, you know. Awesome. Thanks, Demetri. Looking forward to meet you here in San Jose. Thank you, Dan. Hey, Demetri. Dan Rousenowski, Sharks Audio. Good to see you. Um question about the early part of your career. You spent a little time in Hershey and you became a a real National Hockey League player and then from then on you just took right off. I’m just thinking about Shakir Mukumadulan. He’s kind of in an early part of his career. Left-handed shot. He plays on the right side like you have. Um, what’s the hardest part about a a young defenseman becoming that full-time player? What’s the most difficult part? Uh, you know, make sure you just working off ice, on ice, you know, make physically strong and more better feel with the puck, you know, how you skating and obviously listen the coaches, you know, in the system wise what they tell you what to do, you know, and just every day learning, you know, every day it’s NHL, it’s you have to enjoy it, you know, and working hard and battle, you know, nobody going to give you the easy spot. hot, you know, and I’m learning that way too. And and I keep battling every year for that, you know, because a lot of great hockey players want to play in NHL. It’s uh and you want to stay too, you want to give up and uh you want to play as you can, you know. So, and just make sure he’s have a right mindset, you know. And I think I saw him a little bit, you know, when he playing KHL on TV, you know, and he play I think against us one game in San Jose. You can see he got some good skill, you know, good high accur, you know. So, it’s it’s good, you know, like when young players already start feeling a little bit on each, make sure they comfortable and it’s good for our organization, they, you know, give that chance. Are you excited about the opportunity not just with Shakir, but with Dickinson and with Canon and with a with Henry Thrron and with a number of young defenseman on this team and working with them and helping them along too? Yeah, we’ll see. you know I come came there first and I meet him see you know because when you first time came in organization you doesn’t know all players you know if I said I was in Washington I see every year new young kids coming out you know you play with them exhibition games so you know I need a more see what’s going on inside that and then yeah if they need help for sure I can help them out but you know usually young kids some of them come out came how to play AHL NHL. They already know what to do and just to make sure they just keep working and build the confidence with their own skill. Okay.

Defenseman Dmitry Orlov speaks to the media after signing with the Sharks on July 3, 2025.