Newly claimed defenseman, Declan Chisholm, misses first practice with the Wild due to a work visa process.
Declan Chisholm, who was recently claimed off waivers by the Wild, missed his first practice today due to a work visa process.
Chisholm, 24, could not make it to the Wild's first practice after the All-Star break today due to a work visa process. Wild head coach John Hynes hopes they will get the visa issues figured out soon so he can start practicing with his new team.
"Hopefully. We are trying to get it as quick as we can," Hynes said to the media today on getting Chisholm to be able to practice. "Hopefully tomorrow. I don't have a timeline on it but I know it's obviously being expedited."
The Wild claimed Chisholm off waivers last week and plan to use him a bit with the NHL club. The young defenseman has only played in two NHL games this year and six AHL games so it will be tricky for the Wild on how to use him.
"Unfortunately for him, he hasn't been able to play a lot of hockey," Hynes said on Chisholm. "So it's a good opportunity for him and it's a great opportunity for us to take a look at a good young left shot D that seems to have a lot of potential."
Chisholm is an offensive defenseman who could run the Wild's second power-play unit. If the Wild want to get Chisholm in they would likely scratch Alex Goligoski so the 6-foot-1 defenseman can play on the second unit or scratch Dakota Mermis to keep Goligoski in.
"He's a good skating defenseman. He can move the puck pretty well and he's got some offensive instincts," Hynes said on Chisholm. "From a defensive standpoint, I haven't seen him too much but talking to the management about the player, he does have some good talent. We were intrigued by the skating and the ability to move the puck. There seems to be some upside there."