Capitals Rumors: Forward Becoming Potential Trade Candidate

In a recent article for Daily Faceoff, NHL insider Frank Seravalli discussed every Eastern Conference team's need heading into the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline. For the Washington Capitals, Seravalli argued that the club needs to make a decision with what direction they need to. With that, he later noted that if they opt to be sellers, forward Nic Dowd would be a very popular trade target.

2024 #NHL Trade Deadline: Eastern Conference objectives

Breaking down each team in the East with a look at where they are now and where they're heading. Buyers? Sellers? Dreamers?

Specific needs, wants and wishes.

Link: https://t.co/on9JsY440H pic.twitter.com/rmpXt4kPdS
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) January 11, 2024

Dowd has come up in the rumor mill in the past, and it is very understandable. The Capitals have been stuck as inbetweeners, and Dowd is the kind of player that every playoff team would love to add. He is a dependable bottom-six forward who plays a very reliable defensive game and also chips in occasionally offensively. With that, he works very nicely on the penalty kill, so he would be a big addition for a contender.

Dowd also has an excellent contract, as Seravalli notes in his piece, and that also helps add to his overall trade value. Dowd has an affordable $1.3 million cap hit until the end of next season, so he would also be very easy for playoff teams to bring in financially.

In 29 games this season with the Caps, Dowd currently has six goals to go along with 10 points. Overall, it has been another solid season for him, and it will be fun to see if the Caps end up electing to shop him during the next several weeks leading up to the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline from here.