Where Does Declan Chisholm Fit In With the Wild?

In the Russo/Smith mailbag, they mentioned that their league sources, multiple teams placed claims on Chisholm but the Wild (27th in the league) were the highest.

Since we grabbed him off waivers, that means we'll get to see him skate with the big boys.  Will be interesting to see how he fits, and if we attempt to resign him.

But it's waivers...meant to give these fringe guys a shot to stay at the dance instead of skating in the AHL, so not expecting much impact.

He’s going to be motivated, he’s young, and we have a lot of need on defense. He’s also free. It’d be nice for him to earn a spot, develop, and resign. These are the kinds of small additions that add up and make a difference. We’ve tried similar moves on offense. I hope this works out. This move still leaves room to potentially add another D for next year.

To me, this is much like the Butcher trade, depth for an outgoing defensive vet. For starters, I believe Mermis is heading to the minors and I doubt he'll be claimed. But, the writing is on the wall, Goligoski and Merrill are on their way out. I expect Hunt to be brought back up as well after the break since Lucchini and The Wall headed back to Iowa. 

It wouldn't surprise me at all if Goligoski and Merrill do not start with the Wild after the break. 

I did get to read a take from the Winnipeg media. They are still pushing the narrative of Hartman intentionally highsticking Perfetti. And they are completely downplaying the egregious crosschecking that Dillon performed on Kaprizov akin to surgery. They also pointed out that this rivalry is getting heated and half accused Guerin for taking Chisholm out of spite, their words were "an organizational face wash." 

I'm not enamored with Chisholm's size, but it is better than Goligoski's. This is the type of defender that Brackett and perhaps even Guerin like. A puck moving defender with decent size somewhere in the 6'-6'2" area. 190 seems light for me, but a good offseason should help. 

Does this signal anything? Maybe. I think with waiver rules, Guerin can't just trade him, and he has to remain on the roster for at least 30 days (Mr. Cheatachu?). But, it signals going after young candidates for our defense, something I'd endorse. I'd pair him coming out of the break with Bogosian. And, I'd pair Hunt with Middleton. 

For the time being, Goligoski and Merrill can eat nachos and look at Prosser pictures up in his box. I suppose this is a nice way of saying, "you are not in our plans for the future" instead of bag skating them. I would think that a guy like Goligoski would want to play at this age, or at least win. He may be close to waiving his NMC (hope, hope). But, if so, I would like to see him back as a player development guy in the future.

6 minutes ago, Burnt Toast said:

It’d be nice for him to earn a spot, develop, and resign.

With the way the CBA works, essentially, Chisholm has little leverage and the resigning will be completely the Wild's decision. It will be cheap too.

It's a no-risk move for little money, even if he re-signs.  I just hope he proves to be a better option than what the Wild have right now. 

49 minutes ago, Citizen Strife said:

It's a no-risk move for little money, even if he re-signs.  I just hope he proves to be a better option than what the Wild have right now. 

I'd be real disappointed if he's slower than Goligoski/Merrill.

1 hour ago, mnfaninnc said:

I'd be real disappointed if he's slower than Goligoski/Merrill.

I don't think he'll be slower, but he's kind of a bargain Goligoski based upon what I read(and makes sense given that he was waived).

A little bigger than Goligoski, and a guy who often makes good reads to collect assists, but isn't physical and doesn't have stand out skills. It doesn't sound like skating is a deficiency, but likely not above average. He's getting closer to his prime hockey years, and in the right system, he could maybe be a decent 3rd line guy.

Probably a good move to push Mermis back to the AHL with a younger(24 compared to 30) replacement who's likely just as good, if not better.

1 hour ago, mnfaninnc said:

I did get to read a take from the Winnipeg media. They are still pushing the narrative of Hartman intentionally highsticking Perfetti. And they are completely downplaying the egregious crosschecking that Dillon performed on Kaprizov akin to surgery. They also pointed out that this rivalry is getting heated and half accused Guerin for taking Chisholm out of spite, their words were "an organizational face wash." 

I'm not enamored with Chisholm's size, but it is better than Goligoski's. This is the type of defender that Brackett and perhaps even Guerin like. A puck moving defender with decent size somewhere in the 6'-6'2" area. 190 seems light for me, but a good offseason should help. 

Does this signal anything? Maybe. I think with waiver rules, Guerin can't just trade him, and he has to remain on the roster for at least 30 days (Mr. Cheatachu?). But, it signals going after young candidates for our defense, something I'd endorse. I'd pair him coming out of the break with Bogosian. And, I'd pair Hunt with Middleton. 

RE: Waivers rule - you are correct, that prior to being able to trade a player you picked up off waivers (this season) we would have to offer him to the other teams that made waivers claims prior to being able to trade him.  The russo/smith mailbag mentioned that there were 'multiple' claims on him, so it's unlikely (especially if his play warrants it) that he's going to be flipped.

RE: Organizational Facewash - If we are to believe it, multiple teams made claims on him, the bust guess is they thought they'd be able to slip him through because everyone wasnt paying attention due to the all-star break.  That said, I'm assume you're talking about the Paul Friesen article?  Because even WPG fans consider that guy a hack...

Personally, I don't like the WPG jets, and their fans are some of the most annoying to me (along with the COL fans), but I think this is a case of an NHL player being available rather than the Hurricanes retaliating by offer sheeting Jesperi Kotkaniemi with a $20 signing bonus because the habs offer sheeted Aho (#20).  My read is that Chis is too good for the AHL, and the Wild need a warm body rather than want to poke at WPG.

25 minutes ago, MrCheatachu said:

rather than want to poke at WPG.

But it never hurts to get a quick jab in😎

More kicks at the can with young guys coming through the Wild's system. If they don't cost much or are under appreciated, there is more potential upside than chance of failure.

He's a not-so-defensive defenseman. 🤨

21 hours ago, MrCheatachu said:

That said, I'm assume you're talking about the Paul Friesen article?

That was the guy. No idea who he is.

18 hours ago, Protec said:

More kicks at the can with young guys coming through the Wild's system. If they don't cost much or are under appreciated, there is more potential upside than chance of failure.

Could this mean there is a shakeup coming with the cavalry on defense? Perhaps a player like Peart being on the move? Of course, we'd have to see if Chisholm is a legit prospect/player first.