In the aftermath of the 2025 NHL Draft, the Washington Capitals wasted no time shaping their roster for next season. They acquired 23-year-old forward Justin Sourdif from Florida, a player they had long targeted, giving up a second- and sixth-round pick. Sourdif, who tallied 34 points in 43 AHL games and added 10 more in the playoffs, is expected to play full-time in the NHL next season. The move signals a strong belief in his potential as a middle-six forward with grit and offensive upside. The team also traded for 25-year-old defenseman Declan Chisholm, adding needed depth on the blue line after playoff injuries exposed their vulnerability. With Alex Alexeyev unlikely to be qualified, Chisholm is now poised to compete for a key spot in the bottom pair.

The Capitals are navigating over $9 million in cap space heading into free agency, weighing whether to pursue one major addition or spread that money across several versatile pieces. Conversations are still ongoing with UFAs like Mangiapane, Beauvillier, and Raddysh, while RFAs Hendrix Lapierre and Ivan Miroshnichenko are expected to push for bigger NHL roles. Prospect development and roster flexibility are key themes, and with Connor McMichael’s position versatility, the Capitals have options. With a mix of veteran targets and rising prospects like Andrew Cristall ready to challenge for a spot, Washington’s retooling effort is just getting started.

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