MLive’s Ansar Khan filed a game-day notebook article in which Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill spoke about the maturation of one Moritz Seider:
Seider has three assists in three games while averaging 21:24 in ice time, second on the team to Filip Hronek (23:55). Seider is playing in all situations, manning the point on one of the power-play units and killing penalties.
“He’s getting those minutes because he’s earning those minutes,” coach Jeff Blashill said. “I think he’s done a good job. He’s on our power play and he kills penalties as well, so he’s going to get those minutes on the specialty teams, so that’s going to increase your minutes.”
The Red Wings (2-0-1) wrap up a season-opening four-game homestand tonight against the Calgary Flames (0-1-1) at Little Caesars Arena (7:30, Bally Sports Detroit).
Seider is only 20, but clearly was NHL-ready after spending the 2019-20 season with AHL Grand Rapids and last season with Rogle BK in the Swedish Hockey League. He has been paired with Nick Leddy.
“I think for his personal development, one of the things that we’ve tried to do here, that we’ve done since Ken (former general manager Holland) was here and certainly with Steve (Yzerman), is try not to bring players up until they’re really ready to make an impact,” Blashill said. “I think when you do that, you get into a position where you’re not playing minimal minutes. You’re playing more minutes and that’s going to help you grow. And certainly, Moritz has done some really good stuff. He’s got some real good abilities. I think there’s definitely room for growth and we’re going to help him grow and try to become a great player. I don’t want Seids to be a good player, I want him to be a great player. And we’re going to push him to try to become a great player.”
