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Former Panthers Draft Pick Signs Max Term Contract With Capitals
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- Former Panthers Draft Pick Signs Max Term Contract With Capitals
On the final day before the collective bargaining agreement kicked in, former Florida Panthers draft pick Justin Sourdif signed an eight-year contract with the Washington Capitals .
Sourdif's contract will see him earn $6.35 million annually. Tuesday was the final day players could sign eight-year contracts, as the max is now seven.
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The Panthers originally drafted Sourdif in the third round (87th overall) of the 2020 NHL draft. He played just four games with the Panthers before they traded him to the Capitals on June 26, 2025, for a second-round pick and a sixth-round pick.
Sourdif couldn't crack the Panthers' lineup because of their stout depth up the middle, but he was more than worthy of being called up. In his last AHL season with the Charlotte Checkers, Sourdif posted 16 goals and 34 points in 43 games.
Upon arriving in Washington, the 24-year-old thrived as a two-way center. In his rookie season, he posted 15 goals and 35 points in 78 games while maintaining his defensive awareness. He moved his way up the lineup and found himself playing on the second line at times.
With a few additions, Sourdif will likely be reduced to a bottom-six role, as the Capitals roll out Dylan Strome , Pierre-Luc Dubois , Boone Jenner , Sourdif and even Ilya Protas as their center depth. But the dollar figure and term suggest the Capitals have strong confidence in Sourdif, and he'll be given every opportunity to outperform his peers and move up the lineup.
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The Panthers weren't eager to trade Sourdif because they didn't believe in him; they felt he had no avenue to progress, and he deserved one. He went to a great situation in Washington, took his opportunity, and ran with it.
The Capitals have playoff and Stanley Cup aspirations, and Sourdif will no doubt be a key figure in their success.
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