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One of the first major moves that now-former Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman made shortly after his hiring in 2019 was to select defenseman Moritz Seider with the sixth overall pick in that summer’s NHL Draft.
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The move, which startled many in hockey circles, has turned out to be one of Yzerman’s most meaningful decisions.
Not only has Seider blossomed into Detroit’s top defenseman, but he also recently garnered consideration for both the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s most valuable player during the regular season, along with the Norris Trophy, awarded annually to the League’s top blue liner.
Not surprisingly, Seider was included in a recent ranking by NHL.com of the top 20 players at his position currently suiting up, coming in at No. 9 overall.
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This past season, Seider set personal highs with 10 goals and 50 assists for 60 points while posting a plus-15 rating.
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He also averaged a team-leading 25:39 of ice time per game while playing in all 82 contests; he’s yet to miss a single game in his career, which began in the 2021-22 season.
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Seider, who won the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s best rookie that season, routinely garners high praise from head coach Todd McLellan for his durability and brute effectiveness on the ice.
“I really think he’s a diesel engine,” McLellan said of Seider in January. “He just never turns off, and he just keeps going. His stamina is remarkable.”
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“His overall presence on the ice, both offensively and defensively, I think he’s taking strides,” McLellan said. “His … mistakes are being minimized.”
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