Former Red Wing Dennis Cholowski claimed by Washington Capitals

Defenseman Dennis Cholowski, a 2016 Detroit Red Wings’ first round, is going to get a third chance to make a first impression.

The Washington Capitals claimed Cholowski off waivers from Seattle Kraken Thursday. The Kraken picked him off the Detroit Red Wings’ roster in the expansion draft.

Cholowski, 23, couldn’t crack the Kraken’s top eight defenseman. Because he is out of options, Dennis Cholowski has to clear waivers to be sent to the minors. The Capitals sent Beck Malenstyn to the AHL to make room for Cholowski.

The Capitals are only carrying seven defenseman on their roster and Matt Irwin appears to be the No. 7 defenseman.

Cholowski played 104 games, registering 10 goals and 17 assists. Cholowski has always demonstrated an offensive spark, a sense for when to jump into the attack. But he’s never been able to satisfy his professional coaches when it comes to intensity.  He posted 26 penalty minutes in his 104 games, perhaps an indication that he doesn’t engage as much as he should.

Dennis Cholowski Compared to Chychrun

The Red Wings left him exposed in the expansion draft, opting to keep Gustav Lindstrom, a more consistent player at the NHL level. They probably would have protected Cholowski had they not acquired Nick Leddy from the New York Islanders.

Cholowski was drafted during the Ken Holland regime. Fans were disappointed because they wanted the Red Wings to draft Jakob Chychrun. The Red Wings could have done that. But they chose to move down in the draft. The Red Wings swapped picks with the Arizona Coyotes to move Pavel Datsyuk’s contract.

As Chychrun developed into a top pairing defenseman and Cholowski didn’t, the fan base became even more irritated.

The Capitals are looking for younger defensemen. If Cholowski could develop a commitment toward improved play without the puck, he might have a good opportunity with Washington.