Man, if you look at a one year difference.... GMBM gives Orpik 5 years 5.5 million and this year lets Green walk FOR NOTHING.
I think 25 of 30 other GM's would say that's really, really, really, really stupid.
Yes, we have needed a guy like Orpik for a LONG TIME, but there are way cheaper options out there for guys like him.
Him and Carlson gave up by far the most goals this season out of all our defenders. Makes no sense we have him for 4 more years when he's in his mid thirties and we let a guy like Green (better possession numbers, did well in Trotz's role for him and system, best +/- on team while having much weaker linemates, younger) just walk for NOTHING. I have no problem signing Orpik and overpaying him - but NOT when you let a better player walk a year later who is way more valuable. If Caps signed Green to Orpiks contract he's 100x more valuable in getting something in return in the future if it doesn't work out. Orpiks contract is basically unmovable with a lot more risks (again, in my opinion).
Add in the fact Holtby is still stuck in neutral with his negotiations (if he would have committed to him early in the year he would of been TWICE as cheap), the trades he made didn't pan out at all or benefit us at all in the playoffs, and now is losing two of the top 15 free agents (3 of the top 20 if you include Fehr) while saying he's not going to be aggressive/sign anyone in free agency first few days... then It's just not a good overall first year IMO.
There has not been a team friendly deal, difference making trade, or even a deal that is in the multi-millions yet that isn't considered overpaid.
It's WAYYYYYY too early to judge him as It's still been just one year, but I think this fan base should look very closely at how he orchestrates the team this summer. So far he had what experts say was the worst FA signing last year, has costs the teams millions of dollars for being stubborn and not negotiating with Holtby early in the year when everyone on this board has been saying we should lock him up for a couple years now, and just how he has been in GMGM's front office system for liek a decade, which couldn't have been good for him (in my opinion). Add in the fact that he's a first time GM here still trying to figure things out and I think we should be a little concerned.
I hope I'm very wrong, but so far I haven't been too impressed. If his three big deals since being here is Nisky 5.75 or 7 years, Orpik 5 years for 5.5, and now Holtby for somethign like 7 and 7 (when he would of been twice as cheap earlier on in the season), lets Green, Ward, and Fehr most likely walk for nothign - and that's NOT impressive. Any GM could have done that... Seriously, any of us could sign Orpik for his contract, Nisky his contract, and now just waited it out and now have to pay Holtby top 5 or top 10 goalie money...