Detroit Hockey Now’s Kevin Allen spoke with several NHL analysts regarding the possibility of Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider contending for a Norris Trophy as the NHL’s best defenseman at some point in the future:
“I think Seider will have a place in the Norris conversation in 2022-23, and I think it’s entirely possible that he’ll win one or more as his career progresses,” said Hall of Fame hockey writer Dave Molinari, another long-time voter. “But in the short term, I believe the field of elite defensemen is simply too crowded to make him anything more than a long shot.”
NHL Network analyst Stu Grimson, a former Red Wings’ player, has a similar perspective. He has said on the air that Seider should win a Norris at some point in his career.
“(But) is he capable of a Norris next year?,” Grimson said. “I’d say likely not.”
Grimson sees two issues for Seider: Developmental trajectory and timing.
“Bigger bodies take longer to develop,” Grimson said. “Yes, Fox and Makar inserted themselves into Norris discussion very early in their careers. However, these are guys that compete with more modest sized frames and they tend to be somewhat more agile. And that agility translates to point per game seasons for them very early in their careers. Not to mention these guys are making 20 goals from the blueline look routine. I believe Seider can be that caliber of player. It may take him another couple years or so to get there. He’s not the same threat to score as the elite guys yet. But he could be in time.”
