The Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan spoke with Red Wings coach Todd McLellan and defenseman Moritz Seider about the latter’s 284-game iron man streak:
“You used Nick Lidstrom’s name, and I’m familiar with him obviously,” said coach Todd McLellan, who was an assistant coach with the Wings for three seasons during Lidstrom’s career. “Hopefully 20 years or so from now we’re talking about Mo in the same breath as Nick. The simple fact (Seider) can be that durable at a young age, and play as hard as he does, speaks volumes. That was certainly Nicklas Lidstrom from a durability standpoint.”
If there’s ever been a game Seider has come close to missing, he wouldn’t say on Thursday. In his mind, it’s more important to continue to be available and consistent in the lineup.
“Hopefully I can just maintain that and be available,” said Seider, who won the NHL’s Calder Trophy in 2022 and was rewarded with a seven-year contract worth $59.85 million in September. “It’s nice (the streak). I take pride in going out there every single day. I’m just trying to work hard and hopefully there are many more to come.”
Still only 23, Seider has always been diligent in the weight room and his work habits off and on the ice. To that end, always a rink rat, Seider has been willing lately to stay off the ice if he feels his body needs a rest.
“As the years go on you kind of learn how to manage your game properly and take the rest when it’s needed,” Seider said. “Definitely doing a pretty good job of that. (The streak) means a lot. You want to be out there and going into the battle with the guys every single night. You try to do that more nights than others.”
