The Washington Capitals got their first taste of trade action ahead of the 2025 NHL Draft, acquiring forward Justin Sourdif from the Florida Panthers in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick and 2027 sixth-round pick.
Though it's not a big-name trade, it's an important one for the Capitals.
Sourdif is a versatile prospect who has tremendous upside and can play either center or wing. The 23-year-old is coming off a career year in the AHL, where he picked up 16 goals and 18 assists for 34 points in 43 games. He also scored his first NHL goal in the one game he played up with the big club in the regular season.
His biggest asset: his offensive instincts. Sourdif can work wonders with the puck and has great hands and a high hockey IQ, and he's able to be a catalyst on offense and get to the high-danger areas while making plays on the fly. He can finish off opportunities, too, thanks to his impressive shot.
When it comes to where he fits into the mix, Sourdif can plug into multiple roles. He could certainly compete for a bottom-6 role come fall with the Capitals wanting to inject more youth into the mix, and if he doesn't crack the roster, he'll bolster the lineup down with the AHL's Hershey Bears.
Overall, the move is a solid one for D.C. ahead of the 2025 NHL Draft.
The first round is on Friday at 7 p.m. ET.