Chisholm prepared and positive

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This article was published 06/11/2023 (713 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

TEMPE, Ariz. — Declan Chisholm is stuck in hockey purgatory.

Too valuable to the Winnipeg Jets to risk sending down to the minors and have another team swoop in to snatch him off waivers. Not valuable enough in the eyes of the coaching staff to be viewed as one of the six best defencemen on the roster right now.

So he sits and waits, and waits some more, experiencing his version of Groundhog Day in which the 23-year-old wakes up, goes to the rink, puts in the work — but has yet to experience any form of pay-off.

After being one of the best blue-liners in the American Hockey League last year, racking up 43 points in 59 games with the Manitoba Moose, Chisholm hasn’t played a single second at any level this year. He’s been a healthy scratch for the first 11 Jets games, with no obvious end to the press box assignments in sight.

A 12th straight is likely to happen on Tuesday night when the 5-4-2 Jets close out a three-game road trip in St. Louis against the 5-4-1 Blues.

“Of course I want to play,” Chisholm said Monday following his team’s on-ice workout at Mullett Arena. “It is a challenge when you’re not playing, to stay ready and keep pushing every day. But I think it’s giving me motivation.”

Josh Morrissey, Dylan DeMelo, Neal Pionk, Brenden Dillon and Dylan Samberg have played every game so far this year, and those five are fixtures in the lineup provided they remain healthy. Nate Schmidt has dressed for 10 of 11 games, with Logan Stanley taking his spot for one contest.

It would appear Chisholm’s only immediate path to playing time is an unfortunate injury or two.

“Looking down the road, if you start to think well maybe I’ll play in this game or that game, I think that can just make it a longer experience,” he said.

“I think just taking it day-by-day, being more in the present and being positive about the work you’re putting in at practice, the improvement you’re getting in every practice. I’ve been working out a lot, too, so I think I’m in great shape. I know when I come in my conditioning’s not going to be an issue.”

Chisholm is in a near-identical situation to that of Kyle Capobianco, who ultimately played 14 games with the Jets last year and was a healthy scratch for the other 68. Now, their roles have been essentially reversed. Capobianco was sent to the Moose following training camp and is playing huge minutes on the farm, with 11 points so far through eight games.

“I know Capo. He’s one of the happiest guys around. He’s got a smile on his face all the time. If I had to guess he would tell me just to stay positive and stay ready,” said Chisholm. “Every day you’re there to show someone that you’re ready, and he probably took it that way. Just being super positive all the time.”

Indeed, Capobianco would often go weeks between games but always made a positive impression when he’d hit the ice.

“I watched games (last year) when he got in and he looked like he didn’t miss a step. He looked like he’d been playing all year,” said Chisholm, known for his smooth skating and puck-moving ability. “I hope I can do something similar when the chance comes. For right now I just gotta stay positive and keep working.”

One notable difference is Chisholm is three years younger than Capobianco, and the fifth-round draft pick from 2018 is still very much in the development phase of his career. Despite that, he doesn’t see his current situation as an impediment in that department.

“I’m with the best players in the world here. You’re picking up habits every day and being a sponge, because everyone’s got tips,” said Chisholm.

“Everyone’s been in this situation at one point or another, where maybe they were young and not playing, or going through injuries and not playing. I think I just gotta take it all in and use every day as a stepping-stone and a challenge that I can overcome.”

To be clear, Chisholm isn’t complaining, or pouting. He’s maintaining a positive outlook while patiently waiting for his turn. That attitude has been noticed, and appreciated, by the coaching staff.

“These are tough days for guys that aren’t in the lineup consistently,” assistant coach Brad Lauer said Monday.

“But he’s been very focused. He’s worked extremely hard and is doing the stuff that he needs to do. Working on those little things we talk about, in-game stuff. We try to create as many game situations as we can for the extra guys. Biggest thing is just being a teammate, staying positive and being ready when you’re called upon.”

Lauer noted how things can “change overnight” at this level, so nothing is set in stone.

One potential option is to explore sending Chisholm to the Moose on a conditioning loan, which can last up to two weeks and would still see him collect an NHL paycheque (and counting against Winnipeg’s salary cap and 23-man roster limit) without being exposed to waivers. He would need to agree to such a move, should it occur.

“We’re not panicked or worried about that just yet. We’ve been talking to him lots,” said associate coach Scott Arniel. “When that chance comes he’s got to be ready to go, but he is learning every day in practice and through the video sessions and all the stuff that go with it. He’ll get his chance sooner or later.”

The crowded blue-line numbers game could actually get even more complicated once Ville Heinola is back to full health. Heinola was in line to make the opening night roster when he broke his ankle in the final pre-season game in early October. His timeline is two-to-three months, which could potentially give Winnipeg nine options at that position.

“It’s so exciting just to be up and able to practise with these guys and learn from these guys. And the coaching is unbelievable in the NHL,” said Chisholm.

“You’re getting the best of everything here. There’s definitely no complaints from me.”

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

X: @mikemcintyrewpg