Detroit Red Wings

Rookie Moritz Seider Already Ranks Among Best European D Men

Published

2 years ago

March 14, 2022

Detroit Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider is just a rookie, but an international hockey newsletter says he's already one of the world's best Euro defensemen

Moritz Seider’s NHL career is only 59 games old and already he’s making a case that he should be mentioned among the best European offensive defenseman in the NHL.

In his NHL rookie season, Seider (41 points) ranks third in scoring, only behind defensemen Roman Josi (66 points) and Victor Hedman (58). among European defensemen. Both of those players have won Norris Trophies.

“He is advanced in his defensive game. He’s advanced in his all-around game,” Detroit coach Jeff Blashill said. “Does he need to get better at stuff? Absolutely. Because ultimately, he wants to be the best. And to do that he’ll have to continue to work like crazy to get better at things. And I think he will. I think he’ll work like crazy.”

Averaging 23:02 per game, Seider ranks ninth in ice time among European defensemen. His composure, with and without the puck, separates him from most young defensemen. He is one of the three favorites for NHL Rookie of Year.

Earning his minutes

“He’s not out there just getting minutes because we don’t have other guys who can fill those spots,” Blashill said. “He’s out there because he’s winning a lot of those minutes when he’s on the ice. Getting the best of a lot of the other team’s best. You think of the expectation. That’s a lot for a young player and he’s done a real good job of it.”

Blashill understandably didn’t want to rank Moritz Seider against veteran defensemen.

“I wouldn’t want to compare him to a bunch of guys around the league yet,” Blashill said. “It’s really important for guys to prove what they are and to do that you’ve got to do it over a long period of time. But certainly I’ve got a ton of respect for his game. I’ve got a ton of respect for his work ethic and his inner confidence, and I think he got a lot of factors that are going to allow him to be a really good defenseman in this league for a long time.”

Red Wings blueliner Moritz Seider leaps to No. 1 in @chrismpeters' latest rookie rankings:https://t.co/uSHmcHFVH8

— Daily Faceoff (@DailyFaceoff) March 14, 2022

Next German Superstar?

Humility is part of Seider’s overall package, evident when he was asked Monday about the possibility of being the next German hockey superstar.

“I don’t think so,” Moritz Seider said. “There’s so many good guys out there and overall I just think German hockey is going very forward in last couple of years. I think we’re doing a hell of a job.”

The Red Wings are playing against German superstar Leon Draisaitl and his Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday.

Seider said he isn’t playing as well as he would like lately.

“I’m very hard on myself,” Seider said. “Just easy mistakes are leading to easy goals against. Same with that leading goal against Minnesota, when I missed a block and (Kirill) Kaprizov can score on the back door. That’s just small things I have to change and then I think we’ll be fine.”