Jakub Vrana and Adam Erne have filed for arbitration. I’m not concerned. More often than not, the process doesn’t make it all the way (Bertuzzi was a rare exception). Even if it does, Erne isn’t going to get a huge raise from his sub $1 million. Vrana could end up in the 5s for a 1 or 2 year, and that’s fine. Yzerman continues to keep contracts short and manageable. At this point, only 8 players are signed for next season and only 1 for the season after. With a flat cap projected for at least another season or two, it’s nice to have so much flexibility.
Now that the dust has settled on the free agent frenzy, I’ve started to think about what I’m most looking forward to this season. Nedeljkovic is a big addition (will be covering in another blog), but still I’m most excited to see what Moritz Seider will look like in his first NHL campaign. As much as Yzerman tries to temper expectations, he’s all but guaranteed that the 2019 first rounder will be starting on the east side this season.
Defense is the second hardest position to develop from jr to the NHL. (Goaltending is the first). The strides that “Mo” has made in his first two seasons are something we just haven’t seen. Garnering the “Elite Prospect” award in the SHL was impressive (yes Jackie, we know you think it’s a fake award. Moving on). Garnering defenseman of the year was incredible. He spent most of the year as a 19 year old. His jump from relative unknown by fans when he was drafted (and fans went nuts, not in the good way) to accolades as one of the “best players not currently in the NHL” just isn’t something we see a lot with Detroit prospects. Not in their second season.
Seider is a tireless worker with a massive chip on his shoulder. He’s had people tell him he’s “overrated” and was picked “way too high in the draft”. You can probably guess who by watching his hits on the highlight reels. He buried his share of payers into the SHL ice. He also grabbed 28 points (7g 21a) in 41 games. Detroit has lacked serious physicality at the blue line for what seems like a while, and it looks like Mo can bring both some scoring and some snarl in his game. If you watch the highlight hit reel, #9 is Elmer Soderblom who bounced off of Seider. Some of you remember how big that kid is.
I expect some tough moments. At some point the young defenseman will be face to face with McDavid and Matthews. His work ethic and ability to turn criticism into production has me confident that he will learn those tough lessons. Hronek was the last surprise defender to make the jump in his third year. Injuries opened the door for him to play in 46 games (plus 31 in GR) and Hronek used it to shut the door and stick. He lept over the first round pick of his draft year (Cholowski) and quickly became the best defenseman in the pipeline. I have the same hope for Seider.
The right side is very young (comparably) to the left. It’s an interesting left/right mix. I’m hoping Seider pairs with Leddy, but there’s obviously no guarantee. Learning from someone who has been on a championship team and had success on the power play is a good thing. The home grown championship pedigree was exhausted from the locker room. Those players have a lot to give in settling the room down. I am grateful to see Leddy in red.
Training camp will be our first close up view of Seider since his draft year. That year, at 18, he was already taking control on the ice. Players just naturally seemed to listen to him at training camp and prospect camp. He’s a bold player, and worked hard to become a strong communicator. (He interviewed with every team before the draft, his choice). Anyone who will suffer through that, knowing that it will help him be a better pro, has a rare type of maturity.
Let me know where you are at. Is Seider exciting for you? Or are you more “wait and see”, not necessarily impressed by the accolades. The blue line is an unforgiving task. Michael Jordan used to joke about defenders (different sport, I know). He would start saying to his defender, “you’re gonna be on a poster. You’re gonna be on a poster”, and then do his magic. And, to be sure, that defender’s face and arm were soon posted on a young fan’s wall. I don’t know if McDavid drops that kind of chirp, but he certainly could. “Are you ready to be on my highlight reel?” Something to that effect.
I’m ready for the good, the bad, and the ugly. This young prospect seems to have the tools and the toughness to take it all in stride.
Detroit Red Wings Blogger • 
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