Story of the Day

MEDIA NOTE: Washington Capitals senior vice president and general manager Chris Patrick will be available to the media today at approximately 3:45 p.m. at MedStar Capitals Iceplex. The 2025-26 NHL Trade Deadline is today at 3 p.m.

With the trades of John Carlson and Nic Dowd, the Capitals have acquired four additional draft picks (either a 2026 or 2027 first-round pick, a 2029 second-round pick, and two 2027 third-round picks), as well as goaltender Jesper Vikman. Washington now owns 22 total picks in the next three drafts, including four first-round selections and nine picks in the first three rounds.

Despite being a perennial playoff team (Washington has qualified for the playoffs a League-leading 16 times in the last 18 seasons), winning a Stanley Cup in 2018, and staying competitive in this year’s Eastern Conference playoff chase, the Capitals have managed to restock on draft picks. Washington has a strong draft record of late, especially beyond the first round, as Martin Fehérváry (2nd round in 2018), Aliaksei Protas (3rd round in 2019), Cole Hutson (2nd round in 2024), Ilya Protas (3rd round in 2024) and Andrew Cristall (2nd round in 2023) were all taken after the first 32 picks. The pick used to draft John Carlson (27th overall in 2008) was acquired from the Philadelphia Flyers for Steve Eminger on June 20, 2008, who the Capitals selected 12th overall in 2002. Carlson would go on to help Washington win its first Stanley Cup and become the franchise’s all-time leader in games played (1,143), goals (166), assists (605), and points (771) among defensemen.

Schedule & Availability

Friday, March 6

10:30 a.m. – Practice, MedStar Capitals Iceplex

3 p.m. – NHL Trade Deadline

Approx. 3:45 p.m. – GM Chris Patrick media availability, MedStar Capitals Iceplex

Saturday, March 7

10:15 a.m. – Head coach Spencer Carbery, TD Garden

12:30 p.m. – Capitals at Boston Bruins, TD Garden

TV: ABC

Radio: 106.7 The Fan, Capitals Radio Network

Sunday, March 8

11 a.m. – Practice, MedStar Capitals Iceplex

Monday, March 9

10:30 a.m. – Optional pregame skate, MedStar Capitals Iceplex

7 p.m. – Capitals vs. Calgary Flames, Capital One Arena

TV: MNMT

Radio: 106.7 The Fan, Capitals Radio Network

Tuesday, March 10

11 a.m. – Practice, MedStar Capitals Iceplex

Schedule subject to change. Updated schedule information will be announced on @CapitalsPR

Caps Clips

March 6, 2026

Washington Capitals: Dowd Deal Ends Eight-Year Era in DC

NHL.com: Dubois boosting Capitals since return, aiming for playoff push / Carlson traded to Ducks by Capitals for 2 draft picks, including conditional 1st / Dowd traded to Golden Knights by Capitals / NHL, ESPN, Disney, Pixar team up for 'Inside Out Classic' (Washington Capitals mentioned)

Washington Post (from AP): NHL’s best in the West load up on the eve of the trade deadline (Nic Dowd mentioned)

Washington Times: Capitals trade Dowd ahead of deadline, look to rally for playoff push / Capitals trade Dowd to Golden Knights, land draft picks in return

Associated Press: Ducks get John Carlson, Sabres and Blue Jackets open NHL trade deadline day with moves / NHL’s best in the West load up on the eve of the trade deadline (Nic Dowd mentioned)

The Athletic: NHL trade grades: John Carlson gives Ducks an offensive spark on backend / Capitals trade defenseman John Carlson to Ducks for 2 draft picks / Capitals trade Nic Dowd to Golden Knights for draft picks, goalie prospect

ESPN: NHL trade grades: Report cards for biggest deals of 2025-26 (Washington Capitals mentioned) / NHL Power Rankings: New 1-32 poll, each team's top March game (Washington Capitals mentioned) / Capitals trade veteran defenseman John Carlson to Ducks / Golden Knights trade for longtime Capitals C Nic Dowd / Emotions to run high on Capitals-Rangers 'Inside Out' airing

TSN: Ducks acquire D Carlson from Capitals for two picks, including conditional first-rounder / Golden Knights acquire forward Dowd from Capitals for G Vikman, two picks

Sportsnet: Capitals trade John Carlson to Ducks for two picks / What to expect from every team at 2026 NHL trade deadline (Washington Capitals mentioned) / Capitals trade forward Nic Dowd to Golden Knights / NHL Power Rankings: Checking in on job security for all 32 general managers (Washington Capitals mentioned)

USA Today: NHL trade deadline tracker, live updates, rumors and analysis on deals (Washington Capitals mentioned)

Daily Faceoff: Ducks acquire John Carlson from Capitals for draft picks / Are the Capitals looking to sell after Nic Dowd trade? / Golden Knights acquire Dowd from Capitals for Vikman, picks

The Hockey News: Anaheim Ducks Acquire Longtime Washington Capitals D-Man John Carlson

The Hockey News – Washington: Capitals Trade John Carlson To Ducks / What To Know About New Capitals Goaltender Jesper Vikman / Dowd Trade Weighs Heavily On Capitals, Who Say Heartfelt Goodbye To Long-Time Leader: 'What A Privilege It Was To Share The Ice With Him' / Capitals Trade Nic Dowd To Golden Knights For Picks, Goaltender

Baltimore Banner: Washington Capitals trade deadline tracker: Veteran Nic Dowd dealt for prospect and picks / Buyers or sellers: How should the Capitals approach the trade deadline?

The Score: Capitals trade Carlson to Ducks in stunner / Golden Knights acquire Dowd for 2 picks, prospect

Sporting News: Why Capitals traded John Carlson to Ducks in NHL trade deadline shocker / Capitals warned of John Carlson 'shocker' before NHL trade deadline / Golden Knights trading for Nic Dowd to fill need with help from Capitals

Bleacher Report: Capitals Reveal Cherry Blossom Uniforms for 2026 NHL Season in New Photos Ahead of Annual Showcase

Axios D.C.: Caps in bloom (Cherry Blossom Specialty Jersey, Merchandise & MSE Foundation Auction mentioned)

Washingtonian: The Washington Capitals Are Once Again Wearing Cherry Blossom-Themed Gear

WTOP: Washington Capitals reveal new cherry blossoms jersey for charity auction

WJLA-TV ABC 7: Capitals' John Carlson traded to Anaheim Ducks / Capitals trade Nic Dowd to the Vegas Golden Knights

Broadcast (Excluding Game Highlights):                        

Washington Capitals: Spencer Carbery | March 5 / Brandon Duhaime | March 5 / Ethen Frank | March 5 / Hendrix Lapierre | March 5

Monumental Sports Network: Ryan Leonard reflects on first NHL season / District Countdown | Dot Com Caps: Within their grasp

Capitals Radio Network: Caps This Morning | March 6 / Afternoon ReCAP | March 5

TSN: On the Capitals trading John Carlson & Nic Dowd (8 a.m.) / On the Capitals trading John Carlson (2 a.m., 3 a.m., 4 a.m., 5 a.m., 6 a.m., 7 a.m.)

Sportsnet: On the Capitals trading John Carlson (5 a.m., 6 a.m.)

WRC-TV NBC 4: On the Capitals Cherry Blossom Specialty Jersey & Merchandise (11 p.m., 2 a.m.) / On the Capitals Cherry Blossom Specialty Jersey & MSE Foundation Auction (5 p.m.) / On the Capitals Cherry Blossom specialty jersey (4 p.m.)

WTTG-TV FOX 5: On the Capitals trading John Carlson (5 a.m., 6 a.m., 7 a.m., 8 .am.) / On the Capitals Cherry Blossom Specialty Jersey, Merchandise & MSE Foundation Auction (6 p.m., 6 a.m.) / On the Capitals trading Nic Dowd (4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m.)

WJLA-TV ABC 7: On the Capitals Cherry Blossom Specialty Jersey, Merchandise & MSE Foundation Auction (7 a.m.) / NHL.com’s Tom Gulitti on the state of the Capitals (9 p.m.) / Spencer Carbery on the Capitals trading Nic Dowd (6 p.m., 8 p.m.)

WRIC-TV ABC 8 (Richmond, VA): On the Capitals Cherry Blossom Specialty Jersey & MSE Foundation Auction (6 a.m.)

WUSA-TV CBS 9: On the Capitals trading John Carlson (4 a.m., 5 a.m., 6 a.m.)

DC News Now: On the Capitals Cherry Blossom Specialty Jersey, Merchandise & MSE Foundation Auction (5 p.m., 7 p.m., 9 p.m., 11 p.m.)

WTOP: On the Capitals Cherry Blossom Specialty Jersey (4 p.m.)