Moritz Seider is a sledgehamer, no doubt there. The Detroit Red Wings star defenseman is good for 200-plus hits per year, and at least 200 blocks if the situation calls for it.
And you'd think he's made of iron, given all the carnage he dishes out yet, somehow, manages to play in all 82 games and, as of 2024-25, log an average total ice time of over 25 minutes per contest. That, in its own right, is legendary.
Seider's the reason the Wings aren't hopeless when they need an edge or an intimidation factor to outmuscle opponents. He's someone with a stay-at-home-style hitter's mentalty you often find on the third pairing, yet he's perenially in All-Star contention.
If only he can get the points production to match, Seider's gonna be a Norris Trophy candidate from now until the moment he retires, which should be way off in the distant future. Last season, he was okay, with 46 points and eight goals, but an elite-level blueliner's putting up 60-plus, regardless of the physical play they bring.
Moritz Seider can be elite for the Detroit Red Wings in 2025-26
Why's that? Because the blue line should finally get better. Jacob Bernard-Docker was a solid add-on, and I don't care how limited his playing time was in Ottawa and Buffalo. He showed up and played high-quality minutes, so getting a potential full-time role in the Motor City's gonna take pressure off Seider.
Simon Edvinsson should climb another rung or two, further taking off pressure. Ditto for Albert Johansson. For Seider, this means he doesn't need to be Superman in the defensive zone for nearly half of every game, and that should open up more chances for Seider to transform into one of the league's better playmakers from the blue line.
If he does that, it'll erase lingering questions and doubts that Seider's just okay in points production, and boasts more than a solid game in all three zones. Borderline elite, really.
As for his role this season? It'll stay as-is, with 25-plus minutes per contest, but without so many defense-first moments since the blue line will have improved. He'll end the season with some Norris Trophy votes, and it'll set the stage for what he'll have in store for 2026-27, when Axel Sandin-Pellikka helps complete the transformation on the blue line.
But I'm not ruling out Sandin-Pellikka giving us a preview this year. And if he does, keep an eye on Seider, because I guarantee you he'll get even more chances.