Oilers Linked To Capitals' Nic Dowd

Not many people expect the Washington Capitals to get themselves back into the playoffs picture. They are aging and their young players aren't going to make a huge difference yet. If they are in the same position they are in this season as they were before the trade deadline last season, they are likely going to sell what they can.

Not all players they are going to move have to be on expiring contracts either like last season. While players like Joel Edmundson and Anthony Mantha could get a bit of attention, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Nic Dowd will get a good deal, and they both have one year remaining on their contracts after this season.

There will be lots of teams calling about Dowd. He won't be the most attractive name on the trade market, but he does a great job in his role and has a relatively low cap hit. The Edmonton Oilers may only be able to carry 12 forwards right now, but they will accrue cap space by the trade deadline and will be able to afford to bring in someone like Dowd who has a $1.3 million AAV cap hit. If not, the Capitals can eat some of that cap to make it work if the Oilers offer the best value for him.

The Oilers are lacking a fourth line center, and it seems as though that is the position that they are going to be targeting this season. He kills penalties, wins draws, shoots right, and can produce from a bottom-six role, plus the Oilers would have him for a second season. It makes complete sense for the Oilers if they can pull this off.

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