When Dylan Larkin requested a trade, the conversation around the Detroit Red Wings immediately shifted toward one question: who should wear the "C" next?
According to reports from Ansar Khan, even if Larkin remains with the team when the season begins, Moritz Seider is a legitimate candidate to become Detroit's next captain. If the organization decides it's time to turn the page, there may not be a better choice than the 25-year-old defenseman.
A franchise cornerstone since day one
The Red Wings selected Moritz Seider sixth overall in the 2019 NHL Draft, a pick that surprised many at the time. Steve Yzerman believed Seider could become the foundation of Detroit's blue line. So far, that prediction has aged remarkably well.
7 years ago today, Steve Yzerman drafted the next Detroit Red Wings captain, Moritz Seider 🐙#LGRW #RedWings pic.twitter.com/vMYVKh5Ty9
— Hockeytown Rundown (@HockeytownRD) June 21, 2026
After spending the 2019-2020 season in Grand Rapids with the Griffins and the 2020-21 season developing in Sweden, Seider made Detroit's opening-night roster in 2021-22 and has never looked back.
Through five NHL seasons, he has played all 410 regular-season games, proving to be one of the league's most durable players while developing into one of hockey's premier all-around defensemen.
The numbers speak for themselves
Seider has steadily improved every season. He burst onto the scene with 50 points as a rookie and checked off a career-high 60 points during the 2025-26 campaign.
His NHL totals now sit at 39 goals and 240 points in 410 games, ranking 16th among all defenseman in the NHL since joining the league in 21-22.
Moritz Seider: A Sponge 🐙#LGRW #RedWings https://t.co/6HPPh5iSYI pic.twitter.com/xbLVU5w2Rf
— Hockeytown Rundown (@HockeytownRD) December 30, 2024
Since entering the league, his workload has increased nearly every season, including a career-best average 25:39 minutes per night in the 2025-26 season ranking him third in the NHL.
His physical style is equally impressive. Seider has accumulated 908 hits during his NHL career, ranking him 23rd in the NHL since the 21-22 season. He blocks shots, wins puck battles and sets the tone every night.
A leader by example
Captains are expected to lead in every situation, and few players embody that better than Seider.
Moritz Seider's leadership style🐙@313Hockey #LGRW #RedWings https://t.co/2X4FL5ZZo7 pic.twitter.com/4dpI07zEDJ
— Hockeytown Rundown (@HockeytownRD) July 21, 2026
His rookie season also earned him the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL's Rookie of the Year, becoming one of the few defensemen in recent history to capture the award at that time.
This past season, Seider also received Norris Trophy votes after establishing himself among the league's elite defensemen with career highs across the board. While he did not become a finalist, receiving Norris consideration further validated his rise into the NHL's upper tier.
Why Seider is the right answer as captain
The Red Wings are entering a new chapter, whether Larkin is traded before opening night or sometime during the season. If Detroit wants its next captain to represent the future instead of the past, Seider checks every box.
He's already one of the team's best players, one of its hardest workers and one of its most respected voices despite still being in his mid-20s. His consistency, durability and willingness to play in every situation have made him the backbone of Detroit's roster.
Captains are meant to set the standard for an organization. Moritz Seider has been doing exactly that since the day he arrived in Detroit. Now, it's time for the letter on his sweater to reflect it.
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