The Hockey News’s Adam Proteau makes “five bold predictions” for Atlantic Division teams this evening, and this one seems to be more and more likely to come true as training camps approach:
Prediction: Detroit Red Wings top defenseman Moritz Seider signs a contract extension in the middle of training camp. His deal – which we believe will pay him $8.5 million per season – will ensure he begins the regular season without missing any time.
Per PuckPedia, the Red Wings currently have $8.74 million in salary cap space after signing dynamic young winger Lucas Raymond to an eight-year, $64.6-million contract.
If Seider – the team’s top defenseman and a cornerstone component of GM Steve Yzerman’s plans – wants to play a full 82-game slate of games, he must settle for about $8.5 million per season.
In fairness, players comparable to Seider – Buffalo’s Owen Power ($8.35 million) – give Yzerman reason to keep Seider’s contract demands reasonable. And if Seider doesn’t feel like he’s being treated properly, he can sign for a short term and try again to hit a bigger jackpot down the line.
In any case, we expect Seider not to miss any time and contribute right out of the gate for Detroit. Seider is too crucial to fight tooth and nail over financial issues, and both sides must temper their demands to ensure Seider is in the lineup to begin the season. As the Red Wings learned last season, any missed opportunity for one more point in the standings can cost them.
Continued; the one thing that concerned me during Steve Yzerman’s presser was a question about Raymond and Seider’s work visas. It sounded like if Seider signs before September 30th, the end of the fiscal year, there won’t be many problems, but if his visa expires thereafter…
It could get a little tricky.
This is one of those few occasions where I could be making this all up in my head…I’d need a H1B Visa expert to clarify the language.
