Blackhawks claim Wild defenseman Nick Seeler
The Blackhawks claimed Minnesota Wild defenseman Nick Seeler off waivers and reassigned Dennis Gilbert to Rockford on Monday.
The 26-year-old Seeler is a left-shot D-man who was taken by Minnesota in the fifth round of the 2011 draft. The Eden Prairie, Minnesota, native had 2 goals and 5 assists in 71 games for the Wild last season, but appeared in just six NHL games and six AHL games for the franchise this season. He hasn't played since Dec. 7.
The Hawks play at the Wild on Tuesday, but it is likely the 6-foot-2, 198-pound Seeler will be a healthy scratch.
"The last thing I wanted to do was clear waivers," Seeler told reporters. "We just kept saying, 'It just takes one team.'"
"I was at my apartment in Minneapolis and got the call from my agent. Obviously was ecstatic and excited, because I didn't get much sleep."
The 23-year-old Gilbert (1G, 2A in 20 games) was a mainstay in the Hawks' lineup for a month, but he hasn't played since Jan. 7.