Dmitry Orlov (wrist) will be assigned to AHL Hershey this week for a conditioning stint, Alex Prewitt of The Washington Post reports.

Orlov (wrist) will be assigned to AHL Hershey this week for a conditioning stint, Alex Prewitt of The Washington Post reports.

Analysis:

The long-awaited conditioning assignment is the latest chapter in a long and frustrating recovery for Orlov, who first injured his wrist while playing for Russia at the 2014 IIHF World Championships last June. The plan is for Orlov to play in three games for AHL Hershey and then reevaluate. With a glut of healthy and well-conditioned NHL defensemen ahead of him, his prospects for cracking the Capitals lineup in a meaningful role this season appear slim, but he should be on your draft radar for next season, particularly if Mike Green departs in free agency. At the very least, things appear to finally be looking up for the talented Russian blueliner.