The Florida Panthers are in a race against time this NHL offseason as they hold talks with veteran Brad Marchand and star forward Sam Bennett about potential extensions. Meanwhile, in recent hours, they created some roster space with a trade involving the Washington Capitals.
At this point, the outlook remains uncertain. Marchand is being pursued by the Toronto Maple Leafs, who are reportedly willing to make a big offer to bring him to the Canadian franchise. Bennett, on the other hand, is awaiting further discussions on a possible eight-year extension with Florida.
The Capitals took advantage of the situation and are ready to add depth to their roster. In that sense, what better than to acquire a backup forward who has been part of a back-to-back championship team. While the future of Florida’s key forwards gets sorted out, the Panthers start creating room.
Who is the Capitals’ new addition?
The Capitals acquired forward Justin Sourdif from the Panthers in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick, according to NHL.com. The move strengthens Washington’s wing depth as they face the departures of players like Andrew Mangiapane, Taylor Raddysh, and Anthony Beauvillier.
Sourdif is a 23-year-old young forward who stood out in the AHL playing for the Charlotte Checkers during the 2024–25 campaign, recording 34 points (16 goals and 18 assists) in 43 games. He finally made his NHL debut for the Panthers in February, scoring his first goal that same month.
The Panthers’ offseason goal
Although they have identified Bennett as the top priority for re-signing, the Panthers are trying to maintain their competitive core and continue building a potential dynasty after back-to-back championships. By freeing up cap space with this move, they strengthen their chances of keeping all three players, especially as free agency opens on July 1. Everything remains up in the air.