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Washington Trades Veteran Leader Nic Dowd To Golden Knights

Originally posted on NHL Trade Talk
By Ryan Frost-Garant | Last updated Mar 5, 2026 12:38 PM ET

Following a post on X (formerly Twitter) by Darren Dreger this morning. If the post proves true, Nic Dowd is expected to be traded to the Vegas Golden Knights. Dowd, 35, is on a contract holding a cap hit of $3 million per season, expiring in 2027. The NHL veteran will be looking to add a Stanley Cup championship to his resume. The return for Washington is a second-round pick in 2029, a third-round pick in 2027, and goalie prospect Jesper Vikman.

Vikman is a fifth-round pick from the 2020 draft. This season, he has been playing for the Henderson Silver Knights of the AHL. Vikman has played 18 games and has a 3.44 GAA and 0.866 SV%. Vikman will be an RFA at the conclusion of this season.

Dowd will bring his great two-way game to Vegas. In the previous two NHL seasons, Dowd even received votes for the Selke Trophy, awarded to the best defensive forward in the NHL. He has some offensive capabilities; this season, Dowd has 16 points (4 goals, 12 assists) through 55 games.

Dowd should fit perfectly onto the third or fourth line for the Golden Knights, providing much-needed forward depth to the team. His veteran leadership will be critical to Vegas as they attempt to win their second Stanley Cup in franchise history.

Why Was He Dealt By Washington?

The Washington Capitals currently only sit 4 points outside of the playoffs, so why would they trade an important leader, who still has term left on his contract? Washington does not have many picks in the upcoming drafts, and trading out a third or fourth line player is unlikely change whether they do or don’t make the playoffs this season.

That job will be all up to Alex Ovechkin and company as they attempt to track down that final wild card position in the Eastern Conference. Washington has a plethora of players who are capable of playing the same role as Dowd does down the stretch. This move also clears cap space for the Capitals to potentially bring in a player to bolster their defensive core.

This article first appeared on NHL Trade Talk and was syndicated with permission.

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