Learn about the latest capital Declan Chisholm – Hockey Writer – Capital of Washington
The Washington Capitals held the hockey trade the day after the 2025 NHL Draft. The Capitals acquired Minnesota Fields defensive Declan Chisholm and the sixth round draft (#180) for defensive player Chase Priskie and the fourth round draft pick (#123). The then-restricted free agent Chisholm signed a two-year $3.2 million deal with the Capitals on June 29. After his most stable NHL season to date, the 6-foot-1 Blueliner joins his third NHL team.
Chisholm drafted by Winnipeg Jets in 2018
Chisholm played four seasons with Peterborough Petes of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), scoring 142 points in 214 games with an average of 0.66 points (PPG). He was drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in the fifth round of the 2018 NHL admission draft before returning to Peterborough’s final season in 2019-20.
Chisholm became Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League (AHL). The left-handed defender scored 13 points in the first 28 professional games in 2020-21. The following season, he scored 30 points in 53 AHL games. He received a mid-season recall for his first NHL action, with Winnipeg’s road win against the St. Louis Blues and the Detroit Red Wings in late January 2022. Chisholm did not record any points, but averaged over 12 minutes per game.
2022 – 23 years of Manitoba Moose Excellence
Chisholm doesn’t have a consistent defensive position in the Jets’ roster, so he spent the 2022-23 season in the AHL, scoring 43 points in 59 games. After the 2022-23 season, he was named to the 2023 AHL All-Star Challenge and won the Manitoba Most Valuable Player Award.
He skated in a preseason in 2023-24. He skated in two Winnipeg games after adjusting with the Moose in late November 2023. But again, he found himself not in the crowded defensive rotation when the Jets were healthy. Chisholm was placed on the exemption and requested him in late January 2024.
Consistent NHL playing time in Minnesota
Chisholm scored eight points in 29 games in the 2023-24 season with the NHL opportunity at Minnesota, including the first NHL goal against the Buffalo Sabers on February 17.
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He played a key role in the bottom of the defensive group in 2024-25, recording 12 points in 66 games and ranked second in the field at takeaway (27), while averaging 17:00 a night under head coach John Hynes. Despite playing for most of the regular season, Chisholm did not play in the playoffs. Minnesota withdraws from the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs, which are six games, losing to the Las Vegas Golden Cavaliers in the first round of the series.
The third time is Chisholm’s charm?
Washington’s general manager Chris Patrick understood the importance of getting into the playoffs after losing defensive player Martin Fehervary at the end of last season. With limited cap space to increase players during the offseason, Patrick traded at the 2025 NHL Draft to ensure the capital has a certain depth on the blue line by limiting free agency access to cost-controlled assets.
If Chisholm becomes the capital’s opening night lineup, he will skate in his 100th NHL game to open the 2025-26 regular season. But despite the deal, the open lineup is not a given given given given given he faces competition from Ice Time. Jakob Chychryn, Rasmus Sandin and Feherevary are higher on the depth map.
If injured, Chisholm will be the experienced defender who head coach Spencer Carbery enters the roster. As he enters his third NHL season, it is always possible that Blueliner will take an extra step in his development. However, given the competition in Washington’s defensive division, it seems Chisholm may be a depth in the 2025-26 plan.
