Capitals Add Veteran Defenseman Justin Holl, Forward Josh Dunne to Bolster Organizational Depth

The Washington Capitals continued to reshape their organizational depth on the opening day of NHL free agency, signing defenseman Justin Holl and forward Josh Dunne to one-year contracts. While the bigger headlines belong to Boone Jenner and Vincent Desharnais, Holl and Dunne provide valuable insurance for a franchise that knows depth often determines success over an 82-game season.

Neither player is expected to begin the season as an everyday NHL regular if the Capitals remain healthy. Instead, both appear poised to compete for roster spots while providing experienced reinforcements who could spend significant time with the Hershey Bears before earning NHL call-ups throughout the season. Washington officially announced the signings Wednesday alongside Jonny Brodzinski.

Justin Holl Gives Washington an Experienced Defensive Option

Holl arrives with more than 400 NHL games of experience after spending the 2025-26 season with the Detroit Red Wings.

The 6-foot-4, 210-pound right-shot defenseman appeared in 68 games last season, recording:

• 2 goals
• 8 assists
• 10 points
• 74 blocked shots
• 63 hits

While the offensive production was modest, Holl has built his NHL career around defensive-zone reliability, penalty killing and using his size to clear the front of the net. Earlier in his career with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Holl regularly logged top-four minutes against opposing top lines before later transitioning into more of a depth role.

Washington’s blue line already features several established NHL defensemen, meaning Holl will likely battle for the seventh defenseman role. If younger players outperform him during training camp, Holl could also become an important veteran presence for Hershey while remaining one of the first defensemen recalled when injuries occur.

For a club hoping to contend, having an experienced veteran capable of stepping into NHL minutes without much drop-off carries real value.

Josh Dunne Adds Size Down the Middle

The Capitals also signed 27-year-old center Josh Dunne after he split last season between the NHL and AHL.

With the Buffalo Sabres, Dunne appeared in 18 NHL games during the 2025-26 season, recording:

• 2 goals
• 3 assists
• 5 points

At the AHL level, Dunne continued to produce offensively while serving as a dependable two-way center capable of winning faceoffs and matching up against opposing top lines.

Standing 6-foot-4, Dunne brings the size and defensive awareness that Washington has traditionally valued in its bottom-six forwards. He can play center or wing, kill penalties and provide physical play without sacrificing defensive responsibility.

Like Jonny Brodzinski, Dunne projects as an ideal organizational depth forward who can help the Bears remain among the AHL’s elite while also serving as an injury replacement in Washington whenever needed.

Why These Signings Matter

General manager Chris Patrick has taken a clear approach to free agency.

Washington addressed its NHL roster with Boone Jenner and Vincent Desharnais while also rebuilding the organization’s depth by adding veterans who can contribute at either level. The Capitals struggled at times in recent years when injuries forced inexperienced players into larger roles.

Adding Holl, Brodzinski and Dunne gives Washington experienced professionals who understand NHL systems and can immediately step into the lineup if necessary.

MSB Take

Neither Justin Holl nor Josh Dunne should be viewed as headline-grabbing free-agent additions.

Instead, these are smart organizational signings. Holl provides an experienced right-shot defenseman with hundreds of NHL games under his belt, while Dunne gives the Capitals another big, defensively responsible center capable of moving between Washington and Hershey.

Barring injuries, both players are likely to spend significant time with the Hershey Bears while remaining among the first names considered for NHL recalls during the season.

Championship organizations are built on depth as much as star power, and these additions strengthen Washington’s pipeline without creating long-term salary cap concerns.