Vegas Golden Knights Acquire Experienced Centre From Capitals

 Vegas Acquires Help Down the Middle

Vegas needed some forward help with the latest injury to Mark Stone, which sent him to the injured reserve. With William Karlsson and Brett Howden also sidelined for Vegas, it was no shock that the team needed a veteran forward. Dowd provides a veteran presence, good faceoff skill, and is a solid penalty-killer. Dowd has an average of 2:40 of short-handed ice time per game, ranking tenth out of all forwards in the NHL this season. The 35-year-old forward recorded four goals and twelve assists for sixteen points this season through 55 games with the Washington Capitals. He is currently in the first year of his two-year contract, worth $3 million per season. With his grittiness and ability to go after pucks, he could prove to be a good depth player. With the recent addition of Cole Smith as well, Vegas now has a very strong fourth line.

Who Is Coming Back For Washington?

Washington is getting goaltender Jesper Vikman as well as two draft picks from Vegas. Vikman is a 23-year-old goaltender, drafted 125th overall in 2020. In 18 games with the AHL’s Henderson Silver Knights this season, he has an 8-7-3 record, a 3.41 goals-against average, and an .866 save percentage. The other valuable pieces to this deal are the draft picks, a 2027 third-round pick, and a 2029 second-round pick. As Washington finds themselves out of the playoff picture at the moment, selling veterans is a valid direction to go. They will miss a teammate who has been with the Capitals for eight seasons, but the return is good for the aging player.