Nic Dowd

Dowd enjoyed a career year of 13 goals, 25 points, 62 shots on goal and 136 hits in 65 contests with the Capitals last season. He ended the campaign on the shelf and underwent core surgery in the offseason, but it's expected he'll be ready for camp. There's nothing sexy about Dowd's game -- he's a fourth-line center with solid defensive instincts and physicality, but there's little room for his offense to grow in his age-33 campaign. As long as he stays healthy, Dowd should be a fixture in the Capitals' lineup this year, though he's also never exceeded 70 games in a single season.

It may not have been enough to make him an option in standard fantasy leagues, but Dowd posted a career-high 10 goals and 24 points in 64 games last season. He added a plus-10 rating and 139 hits, proving to be a valuable fourth-liner piece for the Capitals. Dowd has three years remaining on a contract extension signed in November 2021 which pays him $1.3 million annually, so the 32-year-old will return to his usual role with Washington. That won't translate to much fantasy production, however.

Dowd took a significant step forward in his career during the 2020-21 campaign. The 31-year-old enjoyed breakout success as a goal-scorer, posting career highs in goals (11) and shooting percentage (16.2%), which was the driving force behind his 15 points in 56 games. Just as notably, the 31-year-old -- anchoring Washington's potent fourth line with Carl Hagelin and Garnet Hathaway-- emerged as one of the league's better faceoff specialists, winning 56.3% of 768 faceoffs taken. Entering the final year of his contract, the Alabama native has become arguably the most important defensive player on the Capitals and should get plenty of usage as a result. Those in deeper leagues that track faceoff prowess might find some value in the 31-year-old, but the lack of offensive upside limits Dowd's fantasy appeal in standard leagues.

Dowd featured fairly consistently on the Capitals' fourth line in 2019-20, accruing 15 points and 117 hits in 56 contests. A physical force, Dowd has decent scoring for a fourth-liner, but that isn't going to cut it in the fantasy game. The Alabama-born Dowd will likely have a similar 15-point output in 2020-21, even if his ice time doesn't noticeably tick up from the 10:50 per game he played last year. He'll also have to fend off challenges from the likes of Shane Gersich to retain his job.

Signed to anchor the fourth line after Jay Beagle's departure in free agency, Dowd proved to be a capable pivot in Washington's bottom six during the 2018-19 season, posting a career high in goals (eight) while tying his career high in points (22) in 64 games. The 29-year-old is expected to reprise his role as the fourth-line center but is unlikely to match the 17 percent shooting rate from last campaign, so keep fantasy expectations in check for the defensive forward.

Dowd appeared in 40 games with the Canucks last season as a fourth-line center, scoring three goals and averaging 11 minutes per game, but he was not re-signed. Instead, the veteran latched on with the Capitals on a one-year deal where he'll play a similar role at age 28. He's capable of winning faceoffs and provides some value as a big bodied player who shoots right, but won't be anything more than a depth filler. Dowd provides some jump and grit but otherwise isn't expected to make any significant contributions.

Dowd's first full NHL season took place in 2016-17, and he posted a respectable six goals and 22 points through 70 games in a depth role. The 27-year-old center took advantage of his power-play opportunities -- 1:34 of ice time per game -- with eight power-play points, and he could build on last season considering his career trajectory through the lower levels. Dowd registered 89 points over his last 133 games in the AHL, and he also improved offensively in each season at St. Cloud State during his collegiate career. Dowd's fantasy upside is still limited, but if he receives an opportunity to climb into a top-six role, his playmaking ability could click immediately.