The Capitals traded center Nic Dowd to the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday morning, Washington’s first major move ahead of Friday afternoon’s trade deadline.

Washington received a 2029 second-round pick, a third-rounder in 2027 and goaltending prospect Jesper Vikman in the exchange. Vikman, a fifth-round selection in the 2020 draft, has posted an 8-7-3 record with the AHL’s Henderson Silver Knights this season.

Dowd, 35, spent seven seasons with the Capitals. He recorded 79 goals and 87 assists in Washington, including four goals and a dozen assists this year.

The Capitals are currently 4 points behind the Boston Bruins for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference with 19 games remaining in the regular season.

Dowd embraced a leadership role in the District, eagerly taking young players under his wing and diving into difficult roles, including on the Capitals’ penalty kill unit.

“He’s meant a lot to this team. He’s meant a lot to this community. A lot of the work and the things that he’s done have gone unnoticed,” Capitals coach Spencer Carbery said. “He’ll be missed.”

The Capitals’ first game without Dowd arrives on Saturday evening, when they face the Bruins in Boston.