The Red Wings’ decision to draft Moritz Seider with the 6th overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft yielded consternation, confusion and frustration for many of the Red Wings’ faithful.
The Wings felt that their rationale for making a “surprise” pick was straightforward–the team had a need on defense, so they filled it with the best defenseman available–and this morning, Sportsnet’s Luke Fox discusses Seider’s upside, both on and off the ice:
Seider is coming out of Germany’s DEL, where he played for Mannheim. That’s not the same as someone coming out of, say, Finland or Sweden, but there’s something to be said about any teenager who spent a full season playing against full-grown professionals and held their own. The thing most prospects need to do as they rise through the professional ranks is get stronger physically, but Seider already has NHL size at six-feet-four and 207 pounds. He’s also a right shot who can move the puck and with the potential to be a top-pair NHL blueliner one day. Though this pick was a Day 1 surprise, he very well may end up as the best defenceman out of this draft.
He was also a draft-combine favourite. Stylish and with a fun personality, Red Wings fans will find Seider very easy to cheer for — he may even become a fan favourite one day.
German D Moritz Seider, who’s apparently a big fashion guy, said he wasn’t sure what to pack for NHL combine. Debated full suits but opted for less formal wear. Some teams commented on business casual/sneakers look. “I’m famous for that, maybe,” he joked. Kid’s got a personality.— John Matisz (@MatiszJohn) June 1, 2019
Fox continues at length, and, if you missed it, the Wings posted a video chronicling Seider’s draft day experiences:
I know there are some people out there who will hate Stevie for using the 6th on Seider, but I for one like the pick the more I see of him. I’m looking forward to seeing how he performs in the prospect camp, as well as in Traverse City.
This is interesting as it’s the first time I’ve seen that team admitted to picking for need rather than best-available-player. I’ve seen PLENTY of fans saying this pick was to fill an organyzational need, but SY and the folks at the top seemed to be somewhat defensive about this being the next player up on their list.