Hampus Lindholm is about to make his season debut with the Ducks

Ducks defenseman Hampus Lindholm joined the team Tuesday after securing a work visa and is close to making his season debut.

Lindholm arrived in Columbus, Ohio, and skated with teammates for the first time since he signed a six-year contract extension on Oct. 27 worth $5.25 million annually.

Lindholm didn’t know when he would play but said he could step in right away, even for Wednesday’s game against the Blue Jackets.

“I feel comfortable, so whenever they want to put me in, I’m ready,” Lindholm said. “I want to get back as soon as possible.”

After Columbus, the Ducks’ trip takes them to play the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday and the Nashville Predators on Saturday. Coach Randy Carlyle told the team’s in-house media that the Ducks will make a decision Wednesday. Lindholm’s return gives them a full complement of players, with the exception of injured Simon Despres and Nate Thompson.

Even though Lindholm re-signed in October, he could not return to the U.S. from his home in Sweden until the visa was acquired. The contract standoff forced him to miss training camp and at least the first 13 games. He had been working out with a Swedish club, Rogle BK, and might be considered more ready than teammate Rickard Rakell, who had been in a similar situation and made his season debut 18 days after he re-signed.

Lindholm’s next game will be his first since April 27. But even if he isn’t immediately game-ready, the 22-year-old is considered one of the up-and-coming defensemen in the NHL. He was the Ducks’ top defenseman goal-scorer last season with 10, is a cog on the power play and blocks shots at the other end. Lindholm averaged 22 minutes per game last season, second behind Cam Fowler, and formed a partnership with Sami Vatanen into the playoffs.

“I think I know what they get when they put me out there,” Lindholm said.

Rakell got three points in his season debut Nov. 1 against the Kings. Lindholm laughed when asked if he has to have a three-point game in his debut.

“I don’t think I’ll worry too much about the points right now,” he said. “It’s about being confident with the puck and making plays. That’s how I get back to my game.”

The Ducks flew to Columbus a day early to get situated, since they face three games in four nights. They seek to rectify a 4-0 loss to the Blue Jackets on Oct. 28, perhaps their worst so far.

“We owe them,” Carlyle said before they left for the trip. “They came in here and they really spanked us.”

DUCKS TONIGHT

AT COLUMBUS

When: 4 p.m. PST.

On the air: TV: Prime; Radio: 830.

Update: Ducks right wing Jared Boll returns to Columbus for the first time after he spent the first 518 games of his career with the Blue Jackets. Columbus followed a 10-0 win against the Montreal Canadiens with a 2-1 loss to the St. Louis Blues on Saturday.