German Stars Praise Red Wings’ Seider: ‘Virtually Perfect Package’

You won’t have to do much convincing among Detroit Red Wings fans when suggesting that defenseman Moritz Seider is an extremely special player. Yet as revered as he is growing within NHL circles, Seider is already being anointed to iconic status in his homeland of Germany.

For 20 years, the Red Wings were fortunate to have the anchor of the team’s defense be the man known as The Perfect Human. Nicklas Lidstrom won seven Norris Trophies and four Stanley Cups in Detroit en route to his Hall of Fame enshrinement.

In Seider, there are already those who believe the Red Wings may have themselves the next best thing.

Former NHLer and longtime German hockey star Rick Goldmann is willing to go there. He describes Seider as “a virtually perfect package.”

Goldmann played for the Ottawa Senators and in the IHL with the Detroit Vipers. He also suited up 156 times internationally on the German defense. Thus, he can speak with a certain authority on the qualities that Seider brings to the ice.

moritz seider, the player you are….. pic.twitter.com/dd8e8nIIim

— art (@morhitsseider) May 10, 2025

“In the NHL, (defensemen) usually play either offensively or defensively, finding their respective roles,” Goldmann told German website Welt Am Sonntag. “Seider, on the other hand, plays the first power play as well as the first shorthanded position. He’s also very physical, throws a lot of checks, and can really impress the opponent.”

This season, Seider was fifth among NHL defensemen with 212 hits. His ranking among rearguards for shot blocks was seventh with 181. He and MacKenzie Weegar of the Calgary Flames were the only NHL defenders to rate in the top seven in both of these physically challenging categories.

“This combination, combining the best of both worlds, is what makes him so valuable—a virtually perfect package,” Goldmann said.

Red Wings Seider Honored To Lead Country

Seider is serving as German captain at the IIHF World Championship. On Thursday, Germany (3-1) suffered its first defeat of the tournament, falling 5-1 to Switzerland. Even so, Seider was even for the game.

One of four NHLers on the team and the only one who’s a defenseman, he’s been logging 25+ minutes of ice time per game. He only has one assist, but is +3.

may 14 pic.twitter.com/ukPOwMp8HO

— daily moritz seider (@dailycupofmo) May 14, 2025

“Playing for the national team is an honor for me,” Seider told Welt Am Sonntag. “I’m very proud of it. For all the guys who come from over there (the NHL), it’s a given these days. The playoffs always come first, and I think everyone understands that.

“Nevertheless, the World Cup will, of course, come to the fore at some point. When you know you’re out of the NHL, you just look forward to the time with the guys on the national team.”