It has taken longer than anyone could have expected, but the Ducks could soon have the services of Hampus Lindholm.

Lindholm has secured his work visa and was traveling Monday, with the talented defenseman expected to meet up with the Ducks for their practice Tuesday in Columbus, Ohio, as they’re set to start a three-game trip.

The Swedish defender needed to obtain a P-1 visa to work in the United States. The process could begin only after Lindholm signed his six-year, $31.5 million contract with the Ducks on Oct. 27.

Lindholm, 22, has missed the Ducks’ first 13 games as a contract stalemate carried well into the first month of the season and the resulting visa paperwork causing another delay. The Ducks have gone 6-5-2 and are coming off consecutive home wins over Arizona and Calgary.

Seen as a potential No. 1 defenseman for the Ducks, Lindholm had a career-high 10 goals last season while finishing with 28 points. Lindholm was also the Ducks’ top one-on-one defender last season and his puck possession numbers were the best on their blue line.

His arrival figures to give the Ducks a lift as they try for their first three-game winning streak of the young season. They’ve won six of nine after an 0-3-1 start.

“This league’s all about trying to string things together,” Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf said. “You never want to lose two in a row. Every time you win one, you want to put it back to back. We’ve done that now and we got to go out on the road and get some wins now.”

It isn’t clear if Lindholm will play against Columbus on Wednesday as Ducks coach Randy Carlyle will determine if he is ready to step right in or will need more workouts with the team. The Ducks continue their trip Thursday at Carolina and end it Saturday at Nashville.

Facing Columbus will be fresh on the Ducks’ mind. The Blue Jackets came to Honda Center on Oct. 28 and delivered a sound 4-0 beating.

“We owe them,” Carlyle said Sunday following the Ducks’ 4-1 win over Calgary. “They came in here and they really spanked us. They dominated the game. We’re going to have to make sure that we get ourselves ready.”

After missing two games because of an upper-body injury, Getzlaf had an impactful return to the lineup. The center was at his playmaking best Sunday, teaming with linemate Corey Perry to set up three goals. Ryan Kesler was the finisher twice on the power play.

While he was effective when it came to handling the puck, Getzlaf said he had to shake off some rust.

“There was a few things that were a little bit off,” Getzlaf said. “Guys will tell you differently. I hit them in the skates I think three times. Those things, they’re abnormal a little bit for me and them.

“We were able to get through the neutral zone more effectively tonight and I thought we played better with the puck.”