The Detroit Red Wings selected German defenseman Moritz Seider with the 6th overall selection in the 2019 NHL Draft, and they're banking on him being a big part of their future.
And so far, he's been every bit as good as advertised. In fact, he's leading all NHL rookies in ice time so far in the young 2021-22 NHL Season.
At 21:34 of ice time so far through three games, the Red Wings coaching staff has seen fit to play Seider in all situations on the ice. For head coach Jeff Blashill, Seider has earned it.
“First off, we’re making those decisions beyond just his development,” Blashill said. “He’s getting those minutes because he’s earning those minutes. I think he’s done a good job.”
There is only one other NHL rookie who has currently eclipsed an average of 20 minutes of ice time, Nashville Predators defenseman Alexander Carrier at 20:38.
“I think for his personal development, one of the things that we’ve tried to do here, that we’ve done since (GM) Ken (Holland) was here and certainly with (current GM) Steve (Yzerman), is try not to bring players up until they’re really ready to make an impact,” Blashill said. “I think when you do that, then you get into a positon where you’re not playing minimal minutes. You’re playing more minutes and that’s gonna help you grow.”
“Certainly Moritz has done some really good stuff,” he continued. “He’s got some real good abilities. I think there’s definitely room for growth and we’re gonna help him grow and try to become a great player."
The Red Wings take on the Calgary Flames tonight at Little Caesars Arena.
