Detroit Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider is still playing like a superstar. The problem is that his early-season performance has been overshadowed by all the drama surrounding the team. Seider has just five assists in eight games this season. But those numbers hardly do justice to what Seider has meant to his team.
In fact, Seider is one of the main reasons why the Red Wings are 3-3-2 and still hanging around on the fringes of the Atlantic Division.
Yes, Dylan Larkin and his issues have gotten the lion’s share of the attention. Alex DeBrincat was rightfully the focal point following his massive contract extension.
And as for the rest of the team, well, they played well enough to keep the team afloat. It’s that entire backdrop that makes Seider virtually invisible to those not actually paying attention.
We don’t pay attention to things when they’re working well
No one ever pays attention to things when they’re working well. If the trains run on schedule, nobody seems to notice. That’s the case of Moritz Seider.
He plays so well that most observers don’t notice what he does on the ice. There are no egregious giveaways. He doesn’t make boneheaded plays. There are no questionable penalties or defensive miscues. That’s what makes him a superstar.
Seider is currently averaging 17:32 of 5v5 ice time. He’s racking up a little over four minutes of power -play time, while spending over two minutes on the penalty kill. Add that up, and it’s about 23 minutes or so of ice time per game.
It’s almost unfathomable to see a defenseman who can do all of that. The average high-end blueliner typically plays one side of the puck or the other. It’s the rare elite few, like Zach Werenski and Cale Makar, who can dominate on all sides of the game.
Moritz Seider is right along with them.
Red Wings would be completely lost without Moritz Seider
It’s easy to see that the Red Wings would be completely lost without Moritz Seider. Last season, the club had the luxury of Simon Edvinsson patrolling the ice. But since Edvinsson isn’t playing, the team has become even more reliant on Seider to carry the load.
That’s why, if Norris Trophy voters have any sense, Seider should earn at least a nomination. Forget about Evan Bouchard and his offensive numbers. Being the NHL’s best defenseman isn’t about scoring to the detriment of actually playing defense.
Moritz Seider is the quintessential all-around blueliner. It’s too bad he doesn’t get the recognition he deserves.
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