Updated at 6:37 PM: As new members of the Red Wings’ $8 million dollar-salary club, Red Wings forward Lucas Raymond and defenseman Moritz Seider realize that there will be significant pressure upon them to perform at higher levels than they’ve already achieved in their NHL careers (thus far).
Over the course of a subscriber-only article, Detroit Hockey Now’s Bob Duff discusses the fact that Raymond and Seider face the kinds of expectations to deliver on a Dylan Larkin-like level–as the Red Wings’ coach and captain already know:
“It’s a reality of it,” Detroit coach Derek Lalonde said. “People are aware of it. Knowing the person and whether it weighs on them or not, it’s just the reality of it and just like any other individual it’s just being aware of it.”
Larkin found this out when he was agreeing to terms on an eight-year pact with an AAV of $8.7 million toward the end of the 2022-23 season. He was choosing to embrace the additional expectations, to use the pressure to be driving himself and the team forward. And he’s still seeking to accomplish more.
“Still pushing myself to see if . . . I know I have a next level and I would like to see what I can do,” Larkin explained. “I’d like to be a dominant player like I have been when I’m healthy. And that’s a big thing for me, is staying healthy this year and trying to dominate and not do too much. Just play my game and be a good playmaker, someone that makes everyone around me better.”
Without revealing the text of the entire article, Raymond and Seider have told Duff that they’re embracing the pressure from without as well as the pressure that comes from within. For Seider, it’s about expecting more of himself…
“I think the expectations change,” Seider acknowledged. “For a lot of other people expectations are different. I don’t think I feel more pressure. I want to be good every single night. That shouldn’t be a matter of how much you make.”
And for Raymond, it’s about accentuating the positive:
“There’s obvious areas I want to keep growing in, keep developing, taking bigger strides, taking more responsibility and getting higher expectations on myself,” Raymond said. “So for sure that’s the goal. I’m still 22, so hopefully I have a lot of, development to still do.”
Continued (paywall); and the Hockey News’s Connor Eargood noted that Seider’s taking a more defiant tone (on the day that The Athletic declared that Larkin has peaked, Raymond is a complementary player, and that Seider’s not doing enough to embrace the challenges thrown at him):
“There are a lot of people who thought that I was a reach [when I was drafted], and I had a chance proving them wrong,” Seider said. “And obviously there are other guys that think this contract is not right, so I’m ready to prove them wrong again. And I think that’s kind of the motivation behind everything is just (that) I want to be proud of myself, and I definitely am right now. So other than that, I think I don’t really care that much.”
All Seider cares about is being the best player he can be — for both team and individual success. And for Detroit, both of those levels of success come hand in hand. For a defenseman so important to the Red Wings’ blue line, any areas he improves will be felt exponentially. High on the list, the 23-year-old Seider wants to bring maturity into his game.
“I think now it’s just about making the next step,” Seider said. “Being more consistent, trying to eliminate off nights as much as possible. Then obviously, I think trying to contribute on both ends even more. Hopefully the offense can come a little more, too. And just working on special teams I think will be a big part, trying to get both in the top 10.”
These areas of growth can help him lead the Red Wings’ defense to success, bringing team success along with his own. In addition to Seider’s own expectations, so too have expectations risen in Detroit with last season’s near-miss playoff push. Even with his contract negotiations, don’t think that Seider forgot about last season’s bitter end.
“I think that’s fuel for this year. I think everybody is excited,” Seider said. “We all know the feeling, ending the season last year on a very big low.” He feels that using last season’s finish one point shy of the playoffs as motivation can keep the Red Wings going full tilt in January and February. “… Just take every game as if it’s the most important game of your life,” Seider explained. “And I think if we can do that, I think we’ll give ourselves a really good chance to up our level once again.”
Update: Here’s a little more from DetroitRedWings.com’s Jonathan Mills:
There’s an abundance of talent within Seider’s game, and Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde said the skilled blueliner still has tons of room for growth.
“We’ll need some of that internal development,” Lalonde said. “His defensive game can continue to grow, even with him, he’s had some lapses in some of his play. I think he can improve his skating, which is very exciting.”
Seider also believes he can continue to improve and mature.
“Now it’s just about making the next step, being more consistent,” Seider said. “I’m going to try to eliminate off-nights as much as possible and then obviously trying to contribute on both ends even more. Hopefully the offense can come a little more too, and just working on special teams will be big part.”
But Seider wants more than just individual accomplishments after the Red Wings fell short of the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season.
“I think that’s fuel for this year,” Seider said. “Everybody is excited. We all know the feeling, ending the season last year on a very big low…You take every game as it’s the most important game of your life. I think if we can do that, we’ll give ourselves a really good chance to up our level once again.”
