Detroit Red Wings
Seider Doesn’t Think Red Wings Need Tough Guy
Detroit defenseman scrapped with Boston tough guy
The images of Moritz Seider, the top defenseman for the Detroit Red Wings, chucking knuckles with Boston Bruins forward Mark Kastelic sent shivers down the spines of most Red Wings fans.
The last thing anyone wants to see is Seider getting seriously injured in a fight.
Kastelic vs. Seider pic.twitter.com/qCUkDLLmuA
— Spoked Z (@SpokedZ) November 30, 2025
That being the case, Saturday’s tilt also served to raise a commonly-heard hue and cry in some circles of Hockeytown supporters.
They want the Red Wings to suit up an NHL enforcer.
Even though he found himself going toe-to-toe with one of the NHL’s toughest customers, Seider isn’t down with that school of thought.
“I don’t think we need a fighter in our team,” Seider said. “I think we’re a really good team, and we just got to match their intensity, and I think we did that.
“We just can’t back down from those things.”
Probably Not The Best Decision By Red Wings Seider
Give Seider credit. While he’s not known as a fighter, he also isn’t someone who picks his spots.
While it was only his second bout of the current season, Kastelic is a well-seasoned scrapper. According to data compiled by HockeyFights.com, he fought 10 times last season, seven times in 2023-24, and on nine occasions in 2022-23.
By contrast, Seider was contesting the second fight of his NHL career, and his first against a legitimate NHL tough guy. Seider’s other bout was with Nashville’s Filip Forsberg.
“I wouldn’t say it’s ideal to square up with a guy who probably has over 50 (fights) in his career,” Seider said. “I don’t know, I didn’t really have much of a choice.
“And obviously, you don’t want to back down.”
Did you know: Moritz Seider has never missed a game for the Detroit Red Wings 🤯
Jeff Marek & Pierre McGuire discuss Moritz Seider setting a new Red Wings iron-man record with 347 straight games to start his career
Listen➡️https://t.co/eqAcTHEZIu
Watch➡️https://t.co/dqj91ARh4F pic.twitter.com/1RmjYrCufc— The Sheet with Jeff Marek (@thesheethockey) November 17, 2025
Teammate Ben Chiarot felt the message that Seider delivered was more important to the club than the outcome of the fight.
“Mo’s a big, big strong guy,” Chiarot said. “Plays a physical game. Yeah, I thought he did a great job.
“It’s good for the guys, too, seeing one of our top guys do that.”
I disagree with him. They need a couple tough guys that can play. The team is easy to soft. Playoffs will be even more physical. Larkin and Raymond certainly will not be scaring anyone which is expected. Seider maybe should a bit more.
Play the game. Can worry about roster construction when he becomes coach or Gm
He’s wrong
They dont need a fighter. They just need their big guys finishing checks, running people over and putting guys on their asses in front of the net.
If the Red Wings start playing an aggressive checking game, the other team will do the same. You will see guys like Raymond, ASP, etc. targeted and there will be fights. It’s the way the NHL works. They better have guys who can answer the bell or at least be able to defend themselves.
Seider hasn’t yet played in any high stakes games in the NHL. The higher the stakes, the higher the violence and intensity. If teams need to target and injure your skill players to win a playoff series, they will. Yzerman understands playoff hockey and when they need that type of player, he will bring them in.
You see , that’s what’s wrong with this team and organization. The thought of not finding it necessary to play physical or stand up for each other runs throughout the organization. ‘The fish rots from the head down” Poor front office… Poor roster construction.