Where Justin Sourdif Fits Into The Capitals' Plans; Promising Prospect With A Lot Of Upside
The Capitals traded two future draft picks for Justin Sourdif. Here's what he brings to the table.
The Washington Capitals made their first trade ahead of the 2025 NHL Draft, acquiring forward Justin Sourdif from the Florida Panthers in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick.
Where exactly does he fit into the Capitals’ plans, though? As a rising prospect with a lot of promise.
Sourdif is a versatile forward who can play center or wing and is coming off a career year with the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers, where he put up 16 goals and 18 assists for 34 points in 43 games. He also earned a game up at the NHL level this past season and scored his first NHL goal on a wicked shot, but there just hasn’t been a vacancy for him to make the jump full-time for the back-to-back Stanley Cup champions.
The 23-year-old is known for his quick hands and impressive stickhandling ability, and he can work wonders with the puck while also owning a lethal shot. He’s the type of player who can control the game on offense and has a wide skill-set and high hockey IQ that make him a major asset on the ice.
Now, it’s just a matter of staying consistent and getting stronger, and he can do just that with Washington.
The Capitals are looking to inject more youth into the lineup while adding more versatility and skill to the mix, and Sourdif fits the bill there. The 5-foot-11, 173-pound forward is also the kind of player who can play multiple roles and move up and down the lineup.
Washington will have some vacancies on the opening night roster next season and wants to add more skill to the bottom-6, and Sourdif is a player with tremendous upside who can try and compete for a role. He will have to clear waivers, so it seems like the team is confident he can crack the NHL roster. At the very least, continue to develop and light it up with the Hershey Bears.
Overall, a solid trade for the Capitals ahead of the draft.