The Washington Capitals have made a significant move as they prepare for the upcoming Stanley Cup Playoffs by re-signing center Nic Dowd to a two-year contract extension worth $6 million, announced on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. This deal, which carries an average annual value of $3 million, comes as Dowd has been enjoying a career year, setting personal bests in goals, points, and games played.
At 34 years old, Dowd has recorded a career-high 14 goals and 27 points in 81 games this season, showcasing his offensive capabilities while also being a reliable two-way player. “Nic has been an integral member of our team, both on the ice and in our leadership group, and we are excited to extend his contract for an additional two years,” said Capitals general manager Chris Patrick. “During his time in Washington, Nic has proven to be a consistent and reliable two-way player who can be trusted in all situations. This signing solidifies our depth at the critical center position as we move forward.”
Dowd's performance this season has been particularly impressive given that he had the lowest five-on-five offensive zone start percentage (11.8%) in the NHL among forwards with at least 20 games played. Despite this, he ranks first among Capitals forwards and fourth among all NHL forwards in shorthanded ice time per game, averaging 2:35. His overall ice time per game stands at 15:10, placing him third among Washington centers, behind only Dylan Strome and Pierre-Luc Dubois.
In his 581 career regular-season games, Dowd has accumulated 176 points, consisting of 84 goals and 92 assists. This includes his time with the Capitals, as well as stints with the Los Angeles Kings and Vancouver Canucks. Dowd has been a member of the Capitals since signing as a free agent on July 1, 2018, and he has solidified his role on the team, ranking first in face-off wins (2,972), second in plus-minus (+47), and tied for second in shorthanded goals (2) among his teammates.
This season, Dowd has also been recognized for his contributions off the ice, receiving the Caps Care Community Award for his charitable efforts. He co-founded Dowd’s Crowd, a program that provides children with sensory needs the opportunity to attend Capitals games. Through this initiative, children receive tickets to games, sensory kits, and a tour of the sensory room at Capital One Arena, along with a meet-and-greet with Dowd himself.
As the Capitals head into the playoffs, they are looking to leverage Dowd's depth scoring to make a deep run. The team has already clinched the top seed in the Metropolitan Division and the Eastern Conference, finishing the regular season with an impressive 51-21-9 record (.685 points percentage). They are set to face either the Montreal Canadiens or the Columbus Blue Jackets in the first round of the postseason.
With Dowd’s recent performance and the extension securing his place on the roster, the Capitals are optimistic about their chances in the playoffs. The team has also made several key re-signings recently, including goaltender Logan Thompson to a six-year deal worth $5.85 million per year and defenseman Jakob Chychrun to an eight-year contract with a cap hit of $9 million. This proactive approach to roster management reflects the Capitals’ commitment to building a competitive team as they look to contend for the Stanley Cup.
As the Capitals finalize their preparations, fans are eager to see how Dowd and the rest of the team will perform in the playoffs, hoping to capitalize on their strong regular-season showing. With a solid foundation in place and key players locked in, the Capitals aim to make a significant impact in the postseason.
