The Vegas Golden Knights added veteran center Nic Dowd from the Washington Capitals on Thursday, but the cost has raised eyebrows. In exchange for the 35-year-old, the Knights sent goaltending prospect Jesper Vikman and two draft picks to Washington.

Dowd carries a $3 million cap hit through next season. He has four goals and 10 assists in 55 games this year, down from a career-high 14 goals last season. He averages over 15 minutes of ice time and is expected to take a prominent role on the penalty kill.

The move comes one day after Vegas acquired Cole Smith from Nashville, giving the team two new fourth-line forwards who have combined for 10 goals this season. With William Karlsson and Brett Howden on long-term injured reserve, Dowd will see significant minutes in the short term.

Dowd’s arrival also pushes Mitch Marner back to the wing, a shift Marner reportedly welcomes.

While Dowd adds penalty-killing ability and five-on-five physicality, the price — a goalie prospect and two picks for a bottom-six center — has drawn mixed reactions. The Knights are ensuring they have a fourth-line center locked in for next season, but the immediate impact on a playoff run remains uncertain.