When you think of German hockey players, the first person that comes to mind is Leon Draisaitl. This should not be much of a surprise, as Draisaitl is one of the best players in the league and would be the star of the Edmonton Oilers if not for Connor McDavid.
However, Draisaitl is not the only German-born player making noise in the NHL this season. Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider has been making a name for himself over the last couple of seasons.
Seider has established himself as one of the better defenseman in the league. Over his five years in the league, he has recorded 36 goals and 170 assists for 214 points. His point total ranks in the top 20 for defenseman over the last five seasons.
With how well he's played, he's expected to be one of the most important players for Team Germany. But can Seider help Germany contend for a medal?
How Moritz Seider will impact Team Germany's chances at a medal
Seider is currently in the middle of his best NHL season based on point production. In 40 games this season, he has seven goals and 23 assists for 30 points. At this rate, he will shatter his career highs in all three categories.
His advanced metrics only make his season more impressive. According to Natural Stat Trick, he has a 54.79 Corsi For Percentage, a 57.35 Expected Goals Percentage, and a 53.06 Scoring Chances For Percentage. He's also been solid on defense, as he has a 28.77 expected Goals Allowed, and has allowed only 128 high-danger scoring chances.
Seider's primary role on Team Germany will be that of a top-pairing defenseman who sets up players for goals. He'll be at the top of the zone getting the puck to guys like Draisaitl and Tim Stutzle in hopes they're able to finish.
He'll also keep goalies, as he's not afraid to fire a slap shot. According to NHL Edge, Seider has taken 56 long-range shots, which is in the 99th percentile. He also has a shot speed in the 87th percentile, sitting around 70.89 mph. This is a lethal combination that will help Germany's offense be diverse.
He'll also bring a lot of leadership and experience to Team Germany. Seider is projected to be the only German defenseman currently playing in the NHL. This means he'll have no adjustment period to the speed of the Olympic game, and he knows what to expect against a stacked roster like Canada or the US.
Moritz Seider knows how to shine on the global stage
He's also been a key player for Germany's Junior and World Cup hockey teams since 2020. He knows how to perform when the whole world is watching, and it's something he can help the younger, less experienced guys with.
Currently, Germany has the eighth-best odds to win the Gold Medal. This means it will likely take a miracle for them to even be in contention for the Bronze. But if Seider can play as he has for the Red Wings, it could help Germany pull off an upset. In a tournament like the Olympics, getting hot and having a timely upset can quickly put you in medal contention.
Regardless of how Team Germany does, this is an opportunity for Seider to become a household name. A strong performance at the Olympics will help his standing in the league and make people recognize how good he really is.