Black Hawk
FanSided

Chicago Blackhawks claim defenseman Nick Seeler

By Ryan Fedrau

MONTREAL, QC - OCTOBER 17: Nick Seeler (55) of the Minnesota Wild looks on during the first period of the NHL game between the Minnesota Wilds and the Montreal Canadiens on October 17, 2019, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by Vincent Ethier/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - OCTOBER 17: Nick Seeler (55) of the Minnesota Wild looks on during the first period of the NHL game between the Minnesota Wilds and the Montreal Canadiens on October 17, 2019, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by Vincent Ethier/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Chicago Blackhawks claimed defenseman Nick Seeler from waivers today. Here’s what the team is getting from the former Wild defenseman.

Nick Seeler has been claimed by the Chicago Blackhawks today from waivers. Seeler has only played in 99 NHL games since his rookie season in 2017.

The left-handed defenseman is actually from Minnesota. In his short career, he has scored two goals and has nine assists. That totals out to 11 career points. Seeler isn’t an offensive defenseman, as you can see with his numbers.

Seeler played in 71 of the Wilds’ 82 games last season. He averaged 12 minutes per night out there. That isn’t ideal for a top defenseman. Of course, he wasn’t their top defenseman, to begin with.

Seeler blocked 116 shots during those 71 games. He also had 78 hits. Besides the lack of points, those numbers look a lot like Niklas Hjalmarsson‘s. Hjalmarsson is good for at least 10 points each season. Maybe in a new system, Seeler will be too.

The Blackhawks do need more defensemen. Getting Seeler off of the waiver wire was the easy way to get a player. It helps the Blackhawks add some depth to a position that needs it. If he plays right away is yet to be seen.

He was at practice today, which was in Minnesota. The Blackhawks will take on the Wild tomorrow night. So, the new number 55 might have his Blackhawks’ debut in his home state, where he also used to play.

His contract runs through 2020-21. He has an AAV of $725,000. It’s a cheap, quick fix to a problem that needs fixing. I’m assuming that won’t be the last defensive move Stan Bowman makes before the trade deadline.

For the Blackhawks’ sake, I hope Seeler is a “steal” deal. It would be exciting to see the Blackhawks get their next defensive star from the waiver wire.

Home/Blackhawks News