Ansar Khan posted a mailbag article as a subscriber-only feature on MLive. Among his mailbag questions are the following:
Q: I think the biggest problem this team has faced has been the inability to land or develop a No. 1 defenseman since (Nicklas) Lidstrom retired. That’s why I’m excited to see (Moritz) Seider. I imagine they won’t give him too much responsibility too soon and want to gradually acclimate him to the NHL. How long before he’s the unquestioned leader of this defense and logging big minutes against the best players in the league? — Gerry
A: That’s difficult to say, but probably sooner than later based on how well he played for Rogle BK last season (he was named the Swedish Hockey League’s defenseman of the year at age 19 (turned 20 on April 6). He also was named the top defenseman at the World Championship, leading Germany to the semifinals.
They figure to ease his transition to the NHL by not overloading him at the start with big ice time and tough matchups. They will want to pair him with a veteran left-shooter and have three options in Marc Staal, Nick Leddy and Danny DeKeyser. He likely will be on the penalty kill right away but probably not on the power play.
Continued (paywall)
