With training camp just three weeks away, the Detroit Red Wings are slowly making themselves available to the media again. This time around, franchise defenseman Moritz Seider dropped by The Hockey News for an interview about the upcoming season and Steve Yzerman stepping down.
“Obviously everyone knows what’s going on with our team,” said Seider. “But I’m just excited to jump on the plane and represent this organization, see my teammates, see all our staff, all the people in the front office. It’s just up to management,”
“I’m a player and don’t have to decide all those things. I think there’s a big list of things that need to be addressed, and whoever’s going to be the new person I think will guide us in the right direction.”
Last season was Seider's best to date. He posted 10 goals and 60 points, playing the third highest average time per game among all skaters in 2025-26. Seider finished fifth in Norris Trophy voting, playing the highest quality of competition in the NHL among that timeframe.
Seider talks Yzerman's status
The most obvious elephant in the room is the departure of general manager Steve Yzerman. When asked about this, Seider was fairly candid.
“Obviously you never want anything like that to happen, but then you also start questioning yourself,” Seider mentioned. “ ‘Did the team do enough to make us a proud franchise?’ I think that’s where we can take a little bit of blame.”
It's refreshing to see Seider not shy away from accountability. In previous interviews, disgruntled captain Dylan Larkin would subtly remark on the team's structure or how disappointed he was that Yzerman didn't add more during the trade deadline. To see a player recognize the writing on the wall while also holding himself accountable is a breath of fresh air.
Seider's infectious optimism
The best part of the interview, though, was seeing Seider light up talking about the city of Detroit. Despite the doom and gloom that's overtaken many media figures (and the fanbase) this offseason, Seider is still proud to represent Hockeytown.
“There’s so much about this club that makes it so special,” Seider said. “You get reminded every time you walk into that precious building playing in front of great fans that are dying for that sport. I think that’s what I’m most excited about coming back, is playing in front of the fans. They’ve been with us from good and bad, and hopefully we can continue to do some good.”
Seider's passion is just a microcosm of the passion fans have for the Red Wings. To see it reflected in a player who may well be named captain one day is as reassuring as it is exciting.
“I don’t think we’re far off,” Seider said. "We can beat any team in the league, but we’ve got to do it over an 84-game schedule now, so there’s plenty of opportunity to hopefully be in a great position right from up front, but then just gain that momentum all the way to the end and hopefully be in a good position.”
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