Red Wings: Excitement Builds as the Young Core Takes Shape

As the Detroit Red Wings training camp kicked off this week, there’s no question that all eyes are on the younger players as preseason games draw closer. The interest in the prospects tournament last week was a glimpse of what interest will be as the younger players get a crack at the lineup.

But there’s no prospect with more anticipation than Moritz Seider, who is all but a shoe-in to be on the final roster when Detroit opens up the regular season on October 14th.

Seider Represents the Red Wings Ascent

Seider was Yzerman’s first pick as the Red Wings general maanger and it’s felt as if the first clue of how the “Yzerplan” would go would be tied to him. If the early returns are any indicators, it appears that the future is very bright.

And then there was this one:

A drill of Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider is just that–a drill. But for a fanbase looking for anything to grasp onto after some pretty awful seasons, here it is. The sixth and fourth overall selections from 2019 and 2020 respectively battling it out at training camp.

It not only showcases the talent level–it signifies just how close these guys are to being regular contributors for the Red Wings. There are some (myself included) who think Raymond could make the team with a good camp. I wrote before that he seems the most likely Red Wing since Dylan Larkin to make the roster as a teenager.

Seeing both Seider and Raymond on the ice opening night–talk about a must see game for fans. It also lends more confidence to the Yzerplan, as it helps to see the top end picks make it to Hockeytown, contribute, and hopefully, lead it with the star power they’re expected to have.

Obviously a lot has to go right, and other players need to hit for it to reach the levels everyone envisions. But so far, so good.

Younger Red Wings have their first test soon

The prospects tournament was one thing. In just a week, we’ll presumably get our first glimpse of what they can do against other hungry–and established players–in rival organizations. Wednesday’s game against the Blackhawks marks the first test. How will the likes of Veleno, Berggren, Pearson, Seider, and Raymond fare?

With a crowded roster, competition will certainly be fierce which will only help those younger players grow into the players Yzerman–and the fanbase–hope they will be.