A day before the 2025 NHL Draft, the Washington Capitals have made their first personnel decision of the offseason by acquiring forward Justin Sourdif from the Florida Panthers. In return, the Capitals are sending a second-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft and a sixth-round pick in 2027.
The move is seen as a proactive step by Washington to add depth and potential to its forward group. Sourdif, a 23-year-old restricted free agent, has just completed his entry-level contract and brings both youth and experience to the Capitals organization.
Sourdif Shows Promise Through WHL, AHL Success and Brief NHL Scoring Debut
Justin Sourdif was originally drafted by Florida in the third round (87th overall) of the 2020 NHL Draft. Standing 5-foot-11 and weighing 181 pounds, he turned pro in the 2022-23 season after five years in the WHL, predominantly with the Vancouver Giants.
He made his NHL debut with the Panthers on October 16, 2023, against the New Jersey Devils. His standout NHL moment came on February 25, 2025, when he scored his first NHL goal – the game-winner – against Nashville’s Juuse Saros in a 4-1 Florida win.
Justin Sourdif (NHL)In the American Hockey League, Sourdif played three seasons with the Charlotte Checkers, amassing 96 points (35 goals, 61 assists) in 149 games along with 152 penalty minutes. He also had a notable impact in the Calder Cup playoffs, contributing 13 points in 27 games over three postseasons.
In the 2024-25 AHL season alone, he posted 34 points in 43 games, while also tallying 10 points in 18 playoff appearances, finishing second on his team in points per game (0.79) among players with at least 20 games.
Florida Manages Roster Crunch, Capitals Acquire Versatile Forward With NHL-Ready Potential
With Florida facing a roster crunch and needing to make decisions on several unrestricted free agents like Sam Bennett and Brad Marchand, Sourdif became a potential waiver casualty due to the team already having 10 forwards under contract and another RFA in Mackie Samoskevich.
Rather than risk losing Sourdif for nothing, the Panthers opted to trade him to Washington, a move that benefits both parties. Florida recoups draft capital while the Capitals gain a promising, NHL-ready forward.
Washington views Sourdif as a smart, two-way player with versatility to play both center and wing. He is expected to compete for a roster spot in the 2025-26 season, potentially filling the fourth-line right wing role, especially if the Capitals do not re-sign UFA Taylor Raddysh.
Given Sourdif’s experience playing in all situations with Charlotte and his strong hockey IQ, he could prove to be a valuable addition. Scouting reports from his draft year compared him to Alex Killorn, indicating his potential to become a reliable NHL contributor.
