Washington Capitals To Acquire David Kampf

The Washington Capitals have acquired forward David Kampf from the Vancouver Canucks for a sixth-round pick, reports TSN’s Darren Dreger.

After trading Nic Dowd to the Vegas Golden Knights earlier this week, a move that opened up a hole at fourth-line center for the team, the club has filled that hole with Kampf. While Kampf is certainly a downgrade from Dowd, it’s a downgrade the Capitals are likely happy to stomach given the assets they were able to collect for Dowd.

The Capitals face somewhat steep odds this season in their efforts to return to the playoffs, and that’s especially true given the trade of key defenseman John Carlson to the Anaheim Ducks. But Kampf, who is a pending unrestricted free agent, doesn’t necessarily have to be a one-year rental. At 31 years old, its possible the Capitals have added Kampf with the hope that they can sign him for beyond this season at an affordable rate.

Kampf isn’t much of an offensive producer. In 38 games for Vancouver this season, he’s scored just six points. His career-high in points as an NHLer is 27, coming in 2022-23. But he has been a regular penalty-killer throughout his time in the NHL, and could step right into Dowd’s vacated role on the Capitals’ short-handed unit.

At the cost of just a sixth-rounder, the Capitals were able to add a player who will help them better absorb the loss of Dowd, and also a player who will get the rest of the season to prove he merits a role in Washington beyond 2025-26.