If you’re on Twitter and a Red Wings fan, it’s possible you’ve seen what Detroit Red Wings’ 2019 first-round pick Moritz Seider is up to. If you haven’t, then you aren’t seeing the evolution of Detroit’s next star defenseman. Seider’s recent play in the Swedish Hockey League is starting to put the hockey world on notice.
Moritz Seider: oh my!
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) December 15, 2020
Look at this hit from the Red Wings 2019 first-rounder pic.twitter.com/PWOB8BOrrZ
Blue Line Force
During the 2019 NHL Draft, some Red Wings fans might have been scratching their heads when Steve Yzerman‘s first selection as Detroit’s GM was a 6’4″ defenseman from Germany. Since then, the German prospect has shown tons of promise to be Mo-town’s next force on the blue line.
Since the retirements of Nicklas Lidstrom and Niklas Kronwall, Detroit’s defense hasn’t quite felt the same. The Wings have been lacking that one defenseman people can point to and say “that’s the guy”. With the smart and physical play he’s displaying, Seider could become that player.
Seider again. pic.twitter.com/p3tlaMFZ1g
— IcehockeyGifs (@IcehockeyG) December 10, 2020
How can a Red Wings fan see these hits and not be reminded of Niklas Kronwall in his prime? Maybe instead of saying “Kronwall’d” after big hits in Detroit we’ll start saying “Seider’d”. Seider’s play in Sweden is continuing to show why he is ready to get his shot in the NHL sooner rather than later.
All Part of the “Yzer-Plan”
It’s no secret that GM Steve Yzerman has the Red Wings in full-scale rebuild mode. He’s encouraging the development and growth of young talent and looking to the future. Right now, it looks like Seider will be the first of Yzerman’s draft picks to make it to the NHL.
A sample of Moritz Seider's offensive game so far in the SHL.
— IcehockeyGifs (@IcehockeyG) December 13, 2020
Seider has 11 points through 15 games for Rögle. pic.twitter.com/fUO8zMx8hY
It isn’t just Seider’s physicality on the ice that makes him appear to be a future star. He’s more than capable of helping generate offense from the blue line. Seider can make reads and facilitate the offense from the point. It’s a skillset Detroit’s defense has been lacking in recent years.
Seider hasn’t touched the ice in the NHL, so a final judgment can’t really be put on his abilities yet. However, seeing all these recent clips on Twitter has to get hockey fans in the Motor City feeling hopeful. He has the size, the physicality, and the hockey IQ. Moritz Seider is showing the potential to be a star blue line player and anchor of the Red Wings’ rebuild.
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