Two spots and four points back from the Eastern Conference wild-card spot, the Washington Capitals are in a tough place ahead of the trade deadline.
Should they sell their pending free agents and build for the future with cap space, prospects and picks? Or should they address immediate concerns and shoot for the playoffs with 19 games left and Alex Ovechkin’s possible pending retirement?
According to the Athletic’s insiders, the Capitals are doing a little of both. They have been shopping around for the past few weeks, but the first trade went down the day before the NHL trade deadline at 3 p.m. on Friday.
Follow along here with the Capitals’ moves.
Capitals acquire Timothy Liljegren
San Jose Sharks receive: unreported
Capitals receive: defenseman Timothy Liljegren
After trading away long-time defenseman John Carlson, the Capitals are reportedly adding another blueliner in 26-year-old Liljegren. The Maple Leafs’ 2017 first-rounder spent six seasons with Toronto before being traded to San Jose last season. During his time in Toronto, Liljegren was teammates with current Capitals defenseman Rasmus Sandin.
With the Sharks, Liljegren was averaging just over 20 minutes a game as a second-pair defenseman. He had one goal and 11 points with a plus-minus of minus-7 in 43 games. He is in the final year of his two-year, $6 million contract.
Anaheim Ducks acquire John Carlson
Anaheim receives: Defenseman John Carlson
Washington receives: A conditional first-round pick in the 2026 or 2027 draft and a 2027 third-round pick
After 17 years defending Washington’s ice, Carlson will be protecting a new goalie. The 2008 first-round pick made his debut as a 20-year-old and has been a part of the Capitals ever since, playing in 1,143 games.
“Since joining our organization 17 years ago, John Carlson has exemplified what it means to be a Washington Capital every day,” general manager Chris Patrick said in a statement.
This season, at 36 years old, Carlson has scored 10 goals and has 46 points. He was averaging 22:52 a night, just shy of his career average of 23:35, and had plus-minus of 11.
During his time in Washington, Carlson became the franchise’s all-time leader in games played (1,143), goals (166), assists (605) and points (771) among defensemen. He was a part of the 2018 Stanley Cup team and was the highest-scoring defenseman in playoffs.
“John’s determination, leadership, persistence and skill helped our franchise reach new heights and cemented him as a cornerstone and one of the greatest players in Capitals history,” Patrick said. “His contributions to our organization and the Washington, D.C., community both on and off the ice have been immeasurable. We are incredibly grateful for everything John has given to our team and wish him and his family nothing but the best moving forward with Anaheim.”
Carlson is a pending free agent, so his final contribution to the Capitals is the capital he brought in for the future.
If the Ducks, who are second in the Pacific Division but only have a seven-point lead over the first team out of the wild card, make the playoffs, the Capitals get their 2026 first-round pick. If they miss out, they have the option to swap the 2026 first-rounder for their 2027 first-rounder.
Between the two picks from Anaheim and two from Vegas, the Capitals now have 22 picks over the next three drafts.
Vegas Golden Knights acquire Nic Dowd
Vegas receives: Center Nic Dowd
Washington receives: Goaltender Jesper Vikman, a 2027 third-round pick and a 2029 second-round pick
The Golden Knights, who lead the Pacific Division with 72 points, have added a veteran center in Dowd. At 35, Dowd is the third-oldest player on the Capitals and had one remaining year on his deal. Dowd had been with the Capitals for eight seasons.
An 11-year veteran, Dowd has centered the Capitals’ fourth line. He’s scored four goals and has 16 points in 55 games, but he’s played a more defensive role for the team. He’s one of their top penalty killers, leading to over 15 minutes of ice time a night. He could become a key depth piece for the Golden Knights as they look to make a playoff run.
In return, the Capitals received AHL goalie Jesper Vikman. A 2020 fifth-round pick by the Golden Knights, Vikman made the move from Sweden to the Western Hockey League in 2021 before joining the Golden Knights’ AHL affiliate in 2022.
Vikman has bounced between the Henderson Silver Knights and the ECHL. In his 18 games in the AHL this season, Vikman has an .866 save percentage. He’s regarded as a raw talent but has not shown consistency. He will join the Hershey Bears, who have three other active goalies.
A photo with a previous version of this story misidentified another Capitals player as Nic Dowd. It has been changed to a photo of Dowd.
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