Seeler excited for a fresh start with Blackhawks
Twelve games.
Six in the NHL and six in the AHL.
That's how much playing time defenseman Nick Seeler saw with the Minnesota Wild this season.
So when the Blackhawks claimed the 26-year-old Monday after Minnesota placed him on waivers, Seeler just about went through the roof.
"Oh, of course!" Seeler exclaimed after Friday's practice when asked if he was happy when his agent broke the news. "And when I heard it was Chicago I was so pumped, so excited. I mean it's close to home - a 45-minute flight.
"Great organization, great leadership in the room and seems like a great group of guys. ... Really thankful."
With Adam Boqvist recovering from a shoulder injury he suffered in a loss to Boston on Wednesday, Seeler might make his Hawks debut when the team begins a five-game road trip Sunday in Winnipeg. Boqvist did not practice Friday, although he was on the ice doing skill work beforehand.
The Hawks believe the 6-foot-2, 198-pounder will bring some much-needed physicality, especially during this time of the year when competition is ramping up a notch or two.
"That's good. It'll add something to our group," coach Jeremy Colliton said. "He's got a little toughness and a little edge where he can make players uncomfortable."
Seeler, a fifth-round pick by the Wild in 2011 who hails from Eden Prairie, Minn., has been healthy all season but just wasn't able to crack the lineup. He scored 2 goals and had 5 assists in 71 games for Minnesota last season.
Said Connor Murphy: "He's a good skater, he can fly around and he's got a heavy shot. You can see it in practice.
"He's been able to play a good little chunk of games to get some experience. Even just hearing from guys on their team, he's a great character guy and a hard worker. You can never have enough of those guys."
Seeler said he's not afraid to block shots (he had 116 last season) and expects to be a factor on the penalty kill.
It's been a bizarre season, though, as he played just two NHL games in October, two in November and two more in December. His six AHL games were during a January conditioning stint.
"Obviously a difficult year," Seeler said. "But I worked extremely hard and was mentally ready for when my name got called. I think that helped me to be where I'm at today."
When the Hawks added Seeler they sent Dennis Gilbert back to Rockford. Gilbert carved out a significant role during December and early January by throwing his weight - and fists - at opponents during every possible moment.
Over time, however, veterans Olli Maatta and Slater Koekkoek picked up their games to the point where Gilbert became the odd man out.
"(He) wasn't playing quite to the level he was when he first came in, but more so it was just the other guys," Colliton said. "Maatta came out of the lineup and that was due to how well Gilbert was playing. And then Maatta came back in and he's been excellent. Same thing with (Koekkoek).
"That's a good thing. You want that competition. It pushes everyone to be better."
As for Seeler, he believes that being able to practice three times and watch the games against Minnesota and Boston should have him prepared when his number's called.
And Colliton agrees.
"He's gonna get an opportunity to show that he can help us," the coach said. "Looking forward to that."