Capitals offseason a quiet churn with a clear path: lean into a younger core while keeping veteran leadership in the room.

Justin Sourdif arrives from Florida to compete for a fourth-line spot after Washington swapped picks with the Panthers. Washington also drafted five prospects and acquired Declan Chisholm to bolster the back end. Veteran exits included Andrew Mangiapane, Taylor Raddysh, Lars Eller, and Alexander Alexeyev, while T.J. Oshie retired and Nicklas Backstrom headed to Sweden. Alex Ovechkin celebrated a historic milestone and is set to return for Capitals camp to chase another run at the Cup.

The Minnesota Wild are evaluating their defensive depth as they aim to develop young prospects Zeev Buium and David Jiricek. With Declan Chisholm needing a raise that surpassed what the team is willing to pay for a seventh defenseman, he has signed a two-year deal with the Capitals. This decision leaves the Wild with the flexibility to seek additional blue line depth through the waiver wire at the end of training camp, should the need arise.

As the 2026 NHL free agency market approaches, excitement is building among fans. High-profile players like Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel, and Artemi Panarin are poised to hit the market, while veterans such as Alex Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin may seek new opportunities. The Buffalo Sabres face a dilemma with Bowen Byram, while teams eye players like Rasmus Andersson and Martin Necas for potential trades. Notably, Filip Gustavsson's future with the Wild remains uncertain as he approaches free agency.

Martin Fehervary has secured a seven-year, $42 million contract with the Washington Capitals, boasting an annual average of $6 million that kicks off next season. This 25-year-old defenseman, who had a breakout year with 25 points in 81 games, is coming off surgery to repair a knee injury sustained during the playoffs. Notably, he recorded career highs in assists and points before the injury and demonstrated exceptional skating speed, ranking in the 95th percentile among NHL defensemen.

Capitals GM Chris Patrick emphasized Fehervary's significant attributes, including his competitiveness and team-first mentality, suggesting that his extension is a promising step for the franchise's future. Drafted in the second round of the 2018 NHL Draft, Fehervary has accumulated 75 points in 299 career games with the Capitals. Additionally, the Capitals recently signed defenseman Declan Chisholm to a two-year, $3.2 million contract.

Declan Chisholm has inked a two-year contract worth $3.2 million with the Washington Capitals, averaging $1.6 million annually. This move comes after his recent trade from the Minnesota Wild, where he showcased his defensive skills, particularly excelling in shot attempt percentages and takeaways among his peers. Chisholm's offensive contributions also made an impression, finishing with 12 points in 66 games last season. With a promising start to his career and prior experience with the Winnipeg Jets, he aims to bolster the Capitals' blue line.

The Minnesota Wild are taking strategic steps to enhance their blue line for the upcoming NHL season, focusing on both immediate needs and future prospects. With their first pick in the NHL Draft, they selected Theodor Hallquisth, an 18-year-old defenseman known for his two-way play, previously from Orebro in the Swedish junior league. Hallquisth has represented Sweden at the World Juniors and is recognized for his ability to prioritize defense while also contributing offensively. In addition to this promising draft pick, the Wild made a trade, sending veteran Declan Chisholm to Washington in exchange for Chase Priskie and a draft pick, marking a clear shift in their defensive strategy.

General Manager Bill Guerin emphasized the importance of building a strong blue line while making tough decisions about player contracts and trades. Hallquisth’s commitment to making smart plays aligns with the Wild's vision for an aggressive yet composed defense. Meanwhile, the acquisition of Priskie, a former Quinnipiac captain, adds depth to their defense, although his future with the team remains uncertain. The Wild also selected Adam Benak, a dynamic Czech forward, further diversifying their prospects.