The Athletic has posted its annual “player tiers” list, and Moritz Seider, Lucas Raymond, Dylan Larkin, Alex DeBrincat and Simon Edvinsson all make the numerous authors’ list of ranked players:
Moritz Seider
Why he’s here
Early on in Seider’s career there were some pointed questions regarding whether he had what it takes to be a true franchise-caliber defensemen. The tools were there, the results weren’t. He was getting buried in difficult minutes, but his inability to rise above created some concern about his ultimate ceiling.
After his ridiculous Norris-worthy showing last season, any questions and concern are nonexistent. Seider is a franchise defenseman. The Red Wings looked like a juggernaut with Seider on the ice last year … and completely inept otherwise.
What remains is a terrifyingly unique specimen who’s able to take over games at both ends of the ice with a level of nastiness that’s become rare for players of his caliber. It’s that mix that puts Seider squarely in 2B with the potential to land higher as one of the five best defensemen in the world — specifically because of his monstrous defensive game.
“He’s already good, but I think he’s about to take another step,” a scout said. “Not offensively. I think he’s going to be an bigger f—ing problem defensively.”
There’s no one like Seider.
Continued (paywall)
