The Detroit Red Wings have locked up defenseman Moritz Seider, signing him to a seven-year contract extension worth $59.85 million. This comes on the same day that training camp for Detroit opens and just days after the team re-signed forward Lucas Raymond.
Seider was drafted by the Red Wings sixth overall in the 2019 NHL Draft. This would be the first player drafted by new general manager Steve Yzerman, who joined the team from the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Seider had an impressive rookie season, posting seven goals and 43 assists for 50 points in 82 games. His stats were amazing enough to take home the Calder Trophy, awarded to the league's best rookie that season.
Consistency has been one of his best assets. He has 42 points in his last two seasons and has played all 246 games since his NHL debut.
The Detroit Red Wings have an incredible asset in Mortiz Seider for a long time
He has given Detroit a valuable top-pairing defenseman they have not had since Nicklas Lidstrom retired after the 2011-12 season. He plays a physical game while playing a regular shift and the power play.
Seider has shouldered the responsibility of the defense, taking on all responsibility and playing the most minutes on the back end. He has often been criticized for his play, but he has played a ton and often is in the top three for minutes played per game.
He is still young but shows maturity and plays like an NHL veteran. The Red Wings have high hopes for him, as he has been the total package since game one. This young star can do everything on the ice and often lays out the opposition to make a play.
While this is a tremendous deal for Seider, Yzerman, and the Red Wings, this is approximately $2 million less than most thought he would get. However, the team did not have that luxury after signing Raymond to his new long-term deal.
With the cap slowly going up over the next few seasons, the Red Wings will have more cap to spend, hopefully taking full responsibility off of Seider's shoulders. While he can handle the massive load of being a workhorse on defense, he can not do it all.
The Red Wings now have a full complement of players at training camp. With their first preseason game next Wednesday against the Chicago Blackhawks.