NHL.com’s Dan Rosen filed his Wednesday mailbag feature, and in said article, he discusses the Red Wings’ best rookie thus far:
If only one Red Wings player could be considered for the Calder Trophy, who would you pick thus far: Moritz Seider, Lucas Raymond, Alex Nedeljkovic? — @AmadoDesperado
Seider has to be the favorite for the Calder Trophy given to the player voted NHL rookie of the year. A 20-year-old defensemen averaging 22:26 of ice time per game with 21 points (three goals, 18 assists) in his first 31 NHL games is rare and should be celebrated. Raymond, a forward, has been dynamic with 28 points (10 goals, 18 assists), but I’m going to side with the defenseman if it’s close because he must play more and handle more responsibilities, including shorthanded situations. Raymond, through no fault of his own, doesn’t play on the penalty kill.
Seider plays with confidence and swagger. He’s good, and maybe the best thing about him is he knows it and doesn’t shy away from it. Seider projects to be for the Red Wings what Victor Hedman is for the Tampa Bay Lightning, what Roman Josi is for the Nashville Predators, what Cale Makar is for the Colorado Avalanche, what Adam Fox is for the New York Rangers and what Drew Doughty is for the Los Angeles Kings.
Continued; I’d give the nod to Raymond by a nose, but Seider is definitely learning to master a harder position to play.
“thus far” is a key phrase, by George. Seider stands out but I think he is older and played at higher level than Raymond.
I am going to take the easy out, it is a close tie. I really like them both and the Wings future and rebuild changed a lot with all 3 additions.