The Hockey News’s Jason Chen posted a list of players that he believes will give fantasy hockey poolies an advantage as sophomore NHL players, and he mentions both Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond…
While severely underestimating Seider’s potential:
Moritz Seider, D, Red Wings: The Wings were one of the most improved teams over the summer and Seider will be a hot commodity, especially in keeper leagues. He already offers up Victor Hedman-like upside as a multi-category contributor and a borderline top-20 defenseman. Draft him and never look back.
Lucas Raymond, RW, Red Wings: Raymond’s 23 goals was one off the rookie lead but he’s arguably the best goal scorer in his class, ahead of both Caufield and Arthur Kaliyev, two of the better shooters. Raymond had dual-winger eligibility last season and could do the same this season. Even if Raymond struggles and gets dropped from Dylan Larkin’s line, Detroit’s added depth ensures that he still has quality players to play with.
Continued; yeah, okay, Seider’s a “borderline top 20 defenseman” after posting 50 points in 82 games as a 20-year-old rookie.
Now 21, Seider is getting bigger and stronger this offseason–as is Raymond, whose 23 goals and 57 points are nothing to sneeze at. While I’ll grant you that Seider has to earn something like talk as a top-10 NHL defenseman, or a Norris Trophy candidate, in an NHL full of Cale Makars and Adam Foxes, I’m confident that, sooner than later, we’ll be talking about Seider in those conversations.
