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People come, people go, that's the way the NHL works thanks to the salary cap.
The Capitals general manager told Dukes it is difficult to let those guys go, but moves the organization had to make.
"I've become attached to players we've had and players we won a championship with," MacLellan said. "It's hard to move Niskanen. It's hard to see Orpik retire. You know, it's five years we've had them on our team, there's a sense of loyalty there, especially when you win a championship. I mean, you don't like to see players leave.
"You know it wasn't fun to see (Jay) Beagle leave, you know, (Philipp) Grubauer and Burakovsky are both good young players that, you know, we won with, really good guys. And they're looking for increased opportunities, so it's tough to see them leave."
But MacLellan is still happy for his former players.
"We're happy that Connolly got a good contract and probably an increased role," he said. "But, you know, when you win you want to hang on to the guys and keep it going and have the same experience. As it evolves I think you have to make some difficult decisions and try and do the best that you can and bring in the best players that you can find."