Red Wings legend Nicklas Lidstrom appeared on Bally Sports Detroit’s broadcast last night…
Detroit Red Wings icon, @NicklasLidstrom joins us LIVE during the second. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/XsnJrA78w3
— Bally Sports Detroit (@BallySportsDET) October 20, 2021
And 97.1 the Ticket’s Will Burchfield took note of Lidstrom’s remarks:
Lidstrom had the pleasure of watching Seider frequently last year in the Swedish Hockey League. The Hall of Famer was once in the same position as the up-and-comer, a 19-year-old defenseman playing against grown men in the top league in Sweden. Except Lidstrom didn’t dominate the league like Seider did. Lidstrom wasn’t named Defenseman of the Year. And Lidstrom didn’t graduate to Detroit the following season — and notch three points in his first three NHL games.
“I don’t think I was ready to play at his level when I was 20,” Lidstrom said. “I did play in the SHL, the highest league in Sweden, but I wasn’t as good as he was then.”
So if Lidstrom won seven Norris Trophies, you can mark down Seider for eight. If Lidstrom won four Stanley Cups, you can bet Seider will win five. If Lidstrom was the greatest defenseman of his generation, you can bet Seider will be the greatest defenseman … ever. In all seriousness, Seider clearly belongs in the NHL. He doesn’t turn 21 until April and he’s already logging north of 21 minutes per night. And this isn’t the product of playing on a bad team. (In fact, the Red Wings might be good!) This is Jeff Blashill’s best blueline in seven seasons behind Detroit’s bench, and its best player might be Seider.
“He’s really poised with the puck,” said Lidstrom, maybe the most poised puck-handler of all time. “He was a junior player last year and he played against men, but he was holding his own. He actually was initiating a lot of toughness, playing hard to beat, hard in front of the net. And he would join the rush when there was an opportunity, he would be an offensive player when there was a chance to do that.”
