AHL All-Star In Tough Contract Spot With Winnipeg Jets

After being named to the AHL All-Star Game, and putting up an impressive 43 points in 59 games, Winnipeg Jets' defense prospect Declan Chisholm believes he deserves a good shot at cracking the NHL team's top-six on the blueline this fall. 

But currently without a contract, as a restricted free agent, he's still unsigned, and needs to quickly come to terms with the Jets to be able to be ready to make his training camp push.

The problem, writes Jets Insider Ken Wiebe, is that Chisholm is holding out for a one-way deal, while Winnipeg wants to give him a two-way contract. 

Wiebe, however, figures this will all get ironed out soon enough, as both sides have nothing to gain from prolonging this game of negotiation:

Since he’s no longer exempt from waivers, that’s probably a moot point anyway, since Chisholm would likely be claimed if exposed the way Johnathan Kovacevic was last October. 

Having said that, Chisholm recognizes the best way for him to show that he’s ready to compete for a roster spot and push for a job inside the top-6 is to be in training camp from the start.  

That’s why a contract should get signed during the coming weeks.

Chisholm had 38 assists in 59 games with the Manitoba Moose last season, and three of his five goals were game-winners. He added four assists in five Calder Cup playoff games, and had seven points (2 goals, 5 assists) in five postseason games in 2022. He got into a pair of contests with the Jets last year, playing just a tick under 13 minutes per game, and registering a plus-1. 

The 23-year-old was selected in the 5th round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, and is coming off his three-year ELC.   

Photo: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports