Caps want Leonard and Sourdif signed early — offer-sheet season is real

Get ahead of the market

Capitals GM Chris Patrick told NHL.com the club has already started contract discussions with forward Ryan Leonard and hopes to get something done well before Leonard is eligible to become a restricted free agent after this season.

Washington has also opened talks with forward Justin Sourdif, who is likewise headed toward RFA eligibility next offseason.

Why it matters in the DMV

Patrick framed it against this summer’s offer-sheet noise league-wide — including high-profile sheets that forced teams to match or scramble. The Caps would rather negotiate on their timeline than react next July.

This is not a signed deal announcement. It is the front-office posture before camp: lock in young pieces if the numbers work. Informal skates are already rolling at MedStar Capitals Iceplex; training camp is still months out on the NHL calendar.

Bookmark the Capitals page for camp when it opens.

*Friday desk, Aug. 21, 2026. Sourced from NHL.com reporting on Patrick’s comments. No invented contract terms.*