Vegas Golden Knights' Latest Move: Dowd Joins Smith & Kolesar

Golden Knights bolster fourth line with Conor Dowd Addition

Vegas Golden Knights add Conor Dowd to fourth line, pairing him with Cole Smith and Keegan Kolesar. Vegas sits 4th in Western Conference with 72 points.

The Golden Knights made a strong showing last season, advancing to Round 2 of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs by defeating...

The Vegas Golden Knights have bolstered their lineup by acquiring veteran forward Nic Dowd from the Washington Capitals. In exchange, the Capitals received AHL goalie Jesper Vikman, a 2027 third-round pick, and a 2029 second-round pick.

Dowd, 35, brings a wealth of experience to Vegas, with 192 points (88 goals, 104 assists) in 637 career games. He had four goals and 12 assists in 55 games this season for Washington. The Capitals are likely looking to rebuild, and this move adds valuable draft capital and a prospect in Vikman.

🔄 OFFICIAL: The Golden Knights have acquired forward Nic Dowd from the Washington Capitals in exchange for Jesper Vikman, a 2027 third-round pick, and a 2029 second-round pick.

More details: https://t.co/polugq6uFq#VegasBorn pic.twitter.com/gJz0QxoLEo

— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) March 5, 2026

Player Profiles

Conor Dowd

Dowd, 35, has been a consistent presence with the Capitals for eight seasons. This season, he's posted 4 goals and 12 assists in 55 games. With 20 games left, he'll need 11 more goals and 5 more assists to hit career highs in both categories.

Vil Vilkman

Vikman, 23, has a record of 8-7 in net this season for the Henderson Silver Knights. His .833 save percentage ranks dead last (60th) in the AHL, while his 3.41 goals against average puts him 5th in the league. 

Murphy Dowd is set to add center depth to the Vegas Golden Knights' fourth line. He's likely to be paired with newly acquired left wing Cole Smith and right wing Keegan Kolesar, forming a fresh trio.

The Golden Knights currently sit fourth in the Western Conference with a 29-19-14 record (72 points), topping the Pacific Division. 

The Golden Knights made a strong showing last season, advancing to Round 2 of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs by defeating the Minnesota Wild 4-2. However, their season ended with a 4-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers.

The Washington Capitals, on the other hand, are fighting for a Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. With a 31-25-7 record (69 points), they're four points behind the Boston Bruins (73 points) for that second Wild Card spot.