Tag: Moritz Seider

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Are Moritz Seider and Simon Edvinsson destined to be a top line pairing for the Detroit Red Wings

Just three short years ago the Detroit Red Wings lower levels were in near shambles as a result of the Red Wings 25 year playoff run. Enter Steve Yzerman who when he took over as general manager said one of his first orders of business was to build up the lower levels. The Red Wings were void of any real defensive prospects, but that has changed. The Detroit Red Wings now boast of some of the best defensive prospects in all of hockey. That said the team looks set to have a solid tandem on the top line for some time.

Words can not express just how good defensemen Moritz Seider was this season for the Red Wings. In his rookie season Seider, played in all 82 games and was the best defensive player on the ice for the Red Wings, 7 goals, 43 assists and and eye popping 50 points has landed Seider as the odds on favorite to win the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie.

Seider was much more than numbers for the Red Wings. He was a physical presence on a team that did not have many. Seider also pushed the tempo for the Red Wings when leading the rush up ice.

SECAUCUS, NEW JERSEY – JULY 23: With the sixth pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, the Detroit Red Wings select Simon Edvinsson during the first round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft at the NHL Network studios on July 23, 2021 in Secaucus, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Simon Edvinsson, really took a big step in his development this season playing in the Swedish Hockey League. Edvinsson is a good skater with excellent hands. Where he really improved was in the defensive end. Edvinsson learned to use his large frame to his advantage.

When I say large frame, both Moritz Seider and Simon Edvinsson are 6′ 4″. Steve Yzerman has a history of drafting big defensive players who can push tempo, that are also a physical presence and can help out on both the power play and penalty kill.

It was Yzerman who during his time as GM of the Tampa Bay Lightning, pushed for Victor Hedman to win a roster spot. The 6′ 6″ Hedman is one of the NHL’s best defensive players year in and year out.

DETROIT, MI – MARCH 22: Moritz Seider (53) of the Detroit Red Wings and Oskar Lindblom (23) of the Philadelphia Flyers battle for position during the second period of an NHL game at Little Caesars Arena on March 22, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images)

So are Moritz Seider and Simon Edvinsson the future top line defensive pairing for the Detroit Red Wings? It sure looks like it. Red Wings fans should be excited for the future of the Detroit blueline. There are some very good players being developed and it starts with Seider and Edvinsson.

 

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Detroit Red Wings rookie, Moritz Seider’s impact is being felt

Sometimes a rookie comes along and is so good he lifts his team to a new level. It does not happen often, but when it does it is news worthy. For the Detroit Red Wings rookie defensemen Moritz (Mo) Seider is that rookie. Seider’s play has overshadowed fellow rookie teammate Lucas Raymond who is having his own fantastic rookie season.

TORONTO, ON – OCTOBER 30: Moritz Seider #53 of the Detroit Red Wings looks on against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the second period at the Scotiabank Arena on October 30, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images)

When Red Wings General Manager, Steve Yzerman strolled to the podium in 2019 and announced Moritz Seider as the teams first round draft pick (6th overall) it left the NHL experts calling the draft scrambling. No one saw Seider to Detroit coming.

Flash forward a few seasons and Seider is enjoying a nearly unbelievable rookie season. To illustrate just one small aspect that shines the light on how good Mo Seider has been February 9th’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers was exclamation point to how good Seider is and has been.

The February 9th game caught the eye of the NHL world, fans and media alike. To be clear all fans be it Red Wings or other teams and all media. You see in that game Mo Seider killed an entire two minute penalty by himself. Yes, you read that correctly.

Before the season even kicked off, the Red Wings had every intention of allowing Seider a roster spot. Since day one Mo Seider has gotten better and better. While still at the tender age of 20, and looking like a star in the making, Seider may be on his way to cementing a spot on the Red Wings blue line for years to come.

WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 27: Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider (53) reads the play during the Detroit Red Wings vs. Washington Capitals National Hockey League game on October 27, 2021 at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

What is scary is the Detroit coach’s, teammates and national media believe Moritz Seider can get even better. This is what Yzerman and the Red Wings scouting department saw in the young defensemen when they drafted him. While it shocked many at the time, it looks golden now.

This is Steve Yzerman, a GM who fearlessly goes off the beaten track and finds absolute gems. What seems like a head scratcher at the time turns up roses for Yzerman both in his time with the Tampa Bay Lightning and now with the Detroit Red Wings.

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How good is Detroit Red Wings prospect Moritz Seider? Here is a hint, he is fantastic

No, it did not happen during the 2021 NHL season. Moritz Seider, one of the Detroit Red Wings top prospects did not get a call up. That is just fine. No really. Seider continued his development this past season in Sweden, where in 41 games played the young defensemen amassed 7 goals and 21 points yet it was Seider’s growth in the defensive end that really stood out.

Germany’s defender Moritz Seider (L) scores past France’s goalkeeper Florian Hardy during the IIHF Men’s Ice Hockey World Championships Group A match between Germany and France on May 14, 2019 in Kosice, Slovakia. (Photo by JOE KLAMAR / AFP) (Photo credit should read JOE KLAMAR/AFP via Getty Images)

Let’s get this out of the way right now. Moritz Seider is a top line defensive player. Drafted in the sixth overall spot in the first round in 2019, caught many around the NHL off guard. The pick came from Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman, who he and the Red Wings scouting department felt confident in Seider.

Before the season many people (myself included) felt this would be the season Moritz Seider would “get his feet wet” with an in season call-up. Yzerman and the Red Wings front office felt another season of development was the right steps to take.

Playing in Sweden, Seider showed his development days are nearly done. Both offensively and defensively. Seider showed considerable growth. His passes were spot on. He was a physical presence at both ends of the ice, although it showed a bit more in the defensive end.

For the rebuilding Detroit Red Wings they can do nothing but benefit from Moritz Seider. He looks like he can even improve a bit more which is downright scary.

Yet, for a young player who is being counted on heavily for the Red Wings organization Seider’s play has been spot on. If he feels pressure, he sure does not let it show. That is a good sign of character. Something Yzerman looks for when scouting and drafting players.

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – JUNE 21: Moritz Seider, sixth overall pick of the Detroit Red Wings, poses for a portrait during the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft at Rogers Arena on June 21, 2019 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images)

I said this last year and say it again. I do think next season, Moritz Seider will at the very least get an in-season call-up. The way his game has grown, he may not be sent back to the minor leagues.

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When the Detroit Red Wings next play there is a good chance Moritz Seider will be in the lineup

Embed from Getty Images The 2019 first round draft pick of the Detroit Red Wings has shown much promise in his development. So much so, there is a very good chance when the Detroit Red Wings play their next regular season game, Moritz Seider very well could be in the lineup.

Moritz Seider spent the 2019-20 with the Grand Rapids Griffins, posting two goals and 20 assists in 49 games. The 6 foot 4, 207-pound defenseman. The young defenseman showed maturity and a well rounded game.

Before the coronavirus pandemic, the Red Wings were planning on giving Seider an opportunity to play in a handful of games in Detroit. Now Seider’s shot will have to come at training camp.

Seider, who will turn 20 in April, projects as a key player in the Detroit Red Wings rebuild. Seider is a good puck mover who shoots right handed, and as a player is someone who can run a power play unit. His 22 points and .45 points per game average ranked second among Griffins defensemen.

Moritz Seider averaged about 23 minutes of ice time per game, and Seider also showed improvement in puck handling, as well as getting shots through to the net, and overall assertiveness.

Seider would add skill and size to the Red Wings defense corps, potentially fitting into the top four next season with Filip Hronek  a second-round pick from 2016  and veterans Danny DeKeyser and Patrik Nemeth. That would enable pairings of offensive defensemen who shoot right  Hronek and Seider with defensive defensemen who shoot left.

Moritz Seider would make the Detroit defense stronger and more athletic. Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman said of Seider  “He will get an opportunity, whenever our season kicks off. He will get an opportunity to show he is ready to play. If he is ready to go, he will play. If not, he will spend a little more time in the American Hockey League (AHL). But he had a very good year and it’s encouraging to see the things that he did in his development.”

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Detroit Red Wings Moritz Seider is becoming a fan favorite

Embed from Getty Images The Detroit Red Wings prospects are on full display in Traverse City, Michigan. While Joe Veleno and Filip Zadina are there and playing very well, it is the Detroit Red Wings 2019 first round draft pick that is putting on a show. Moritz Seider, the big German defenseman has earned high praise.

The prospects tournament Has seen Seider flash his great skating and skill with a physical edge bringing the Traverse City fans to their feet roaring with approval. In games against the Chicago Blackhawks and Toronto Maple Leafs prospects, Moritz Seider showed something else, he played with a physical   snarl.

Seider, also has been very physical in the corners. For a player who some thought may need to polish some aspects of his game up. Moritz Seider is showing to be further along in his development than first thought on draft night.

Seider played against men back in the German league last season, Detroit Red Wings general manage Steve Yzerman and Kris Draper director of amateur scouting knew getting Seider reps over in North America against a bunch of other hungry prospects would be a very important next step for the defensive prospect.

The German ice rinks are bigger than the rinks in the AHL and NHL arena’s. The smaller ice makes for a faster, more aggressive game. Even with a rather drastic change in ice, Seider has adjusted his game and played with very good speed. He is feeling more and more comfortable with every game played. So much so that Moritz Seider has ruled out returning to the German league this season and is opting to play in Grand Rapids Michigan, with the Griffins.

He has bonded with players who will be in Detroit shortly. “Everybody is hanging around with everybody,” Seider said. “We’re having a good time and you can see that on the ice. We’ve played solid.”

While  Seider will be challenging for time in Detroit during the main training camp. He is expected to head to the AHL. But his time in Detroit will arrive soon.

Detroit Red Wings fans can dream of a first line pairing on Filip Hronek and Moritz Seider. That dream soon could be reality.

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The Detroit Red Wings select Moritz Seider in the first round

Embed from Getty Images Exhale Detroit Red Wings fans. It is going to be okay. No really. First year general manager Steve Yzerman walked up and announced the pick. Many fans and media were caught off guard. But Detroit picked a very good hockey player.

German defensemen Moritz Seider, is big, 6′ 4″. Seider is fast, his first few step acceleration are well above average. He does need to add some weight and build his core.

Moritz Seider is good along the boards. He possesses a very good arsenal of point shots. He picks and chooses his shots. being a big player he generates power behind his shots. That power will increase as he puts on weight.

On defense Moritz Seider plays a very physical game, he looks for the big hit on opposing forwards. There are times he gets himself out of position by seeking the big hit. With development Seider should be able to clean that up. It should be noted, that as good as Moritz Seider projects to be, he will need time in the minors to clean up his defensive game some.

Being that, a prospect with things to work on, Moritz Seider has high-end upside. He could be a boom or bust type player. But given the success Steve Yzerman has had in the NHL drafts, I lean towards boom.

For Detroit Red Wings fans, patience is needed. I believe it will yield high dividends in a short time. Seider’s game is a mix close to Columbus Blue Jackets defensive players Seth Jones and Zach Werenski.

In the end, I am happy with this pick. Yzerman went big. Because he rarely misses Detroit Red Wings fans can relax. Relax and exhale.