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Ryan Leonard, Washington Capitals (David Kirouac-Imagn Images)

Grading the Washington Capitals’ 2025-26 Newcomers

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers
By Hayley Paljug | Last updated Feb 20, 2026 10:00 AM ET

Though the Washington Capitals’ roster remains relatively unchanged since the 2024-25 season, three players have found their way into the lineup for the first time this season. Rookies Ryan Leonard and Justin Sourdif, as well as defenseman Declan Chisholm, are all in their first seasons in Washington. Let’s take a look at their performances so far, where their deficits lie, and what their futures may look like.

Ryan Leonard: A

Forward Leonard did play nine games with the team at the tail end of last season, but this is his first true season in the lineup. He has had a solid and successful start to the season with 30 points (10 goals, 20 assists) in 52 games. While it is not the breakout performance that fans had hoped to see from him based on his collegiate performance, he is still young and will need continued time to develop into his highest level of play.

A 30-point (and counting) season is no small feat, especially for a player adjusting to the NHL pace and play style. He also missed a handful of games with an injury, so his season has been shorter than expected. He is number eight overall in points among his teammates, and number five among all rookies. Head coach Spencer Carbery indicated during training camp that a successful rookie season for Leonard was not all about his point totals.

“He’s got to be really good with the puck at determining when he can make a play and when it’s time to make a smart, intelligent, hard play,” he said, defining what success would look like. Leonard is a smart player who knows how to handle the puck and make intelligent moves in critical moments. He has one power-play goal and two shorthanded goals this season, for example.

He does, however, need to become more disciplined with the puck and reduce his penalty minutes. He has 30 this season, mostly due to careless mistakes that come from being a young, developing player. Overall, his season has been exactly what one might hope for as a rookie, and he is a welcome addition to an aging Capitals team that will help pave the way to their future successes.

Justin Sourdif: B+

Another rookie forward, Sourdif, was acquired in the offseason from the Florida Panthers. His stats are not far behind those of Leonard. He has 26 points (12 goals, 14 assists) in 55 games. His season got off to a relatively slow start — he notched just seven points in October and November. However, he finally got the momentum he needed from his first multi-goal game on Dec. 31, and later scored a hat trick on Jan. 5.

Washington Capitals right wing Justin Sourdif celebrates with teammates after scoring a hat trick goal against the Anaheim Ducks (Geoff Burke-Imagn Images)

Since that momentum shift, Sourdif has been a reliable offensive producer for the team. Carbery described him positively, saying, “He’s got that agility [and] dartiness to him where he’s in and out of areas. He’s quick, whether it’s a tight turn, a spin. And that’s a very valuable skill in professional hockey… I think he’s also an intelligent player. I think he competes hard. He is a guy that can go to really high traffic areas.”

Sourdif has been a poster child for rookie development and growth, who has only improved as the season has progressed. He also shows an impressive amount of physicality for a rookie and even engaged in his first fight earlier this season. He is number eight overall for points among rookies, and number nine among his teammates. He does, however, need to improve his consistency. If he could develop into a point-per-game player (which may come with time), he would be one of the team’s most valued players.

Declan Chisholm: C

Chisholm, a defenseman, was the team’s only other offseason acquisition alongside Sourdif. He came from the Minnesota Wild, where he “ranked first among Wild defensemen in shot-attempt percentage at five-on-five (51.5 percent), second in takeaways (27) and third in power-play points (two),” per the NHL. However, his success has not been to that level since joining the Capitals.

Declan Chisholm, Washington Capitals (David Gonzales-Imagn Images)

He has suited up in just 21 games this season, as he mainly fills in on the blue line when others are out. He has just four points (one goal, three assists) this season, though he has had 19 shots on goal. He also has five takeaways, well shy of his last season with the Wild.

He does, however, spend 42.3% of his time on ice in the defensive zone, meaning he is focused on protecting the puck and performing his primary duties as a blueliner. While Chisholm isn’t a bad defenseman, per se, his talents may be better suited to another team, and his success has just been mediocre.

Each of these three players has contributed to the Capitals in various ways. Leonard and Sourdif have had great starts to their NHL careers, and Chisholm has jumped into the lineup in the absence of other defenders. It will be interesting to see how the team takes shape at and near the trade deadline, which happens on March 6. Will all three players stay and continue their contributions to the team? Time will tell.