Nedeljkovic still is considered a rookie and eligible for the Calder. Under the criteria, a player cannot have played more than 25 games in any single preceding season and cannot turn 26 by Sept. 15. He played 23 games last season and will not turn 26 until Jan. 7.
He leads rookie goalies in wins with eight. Among those who have played more than six games, his save percentage is highest at .920, and his goals-against average is second-lowest at 2.60, behind Jeremy Swayman of the Boston Bruins (2.26 GAA in 12 games).
The best part? It's still early, especially for Raymond and Seider.
"I'm trying to find my game, and I think I'm still learning, learning every day, trying to get better in the areas that are my weaknesses and always trying to improve my strengths," Raymond said. "But I think overall I'm just trying to be an offensive forward who you can still count on defensively, who plays hard every night."
Blashill tries to strike a balance with Raymond, tempering expectations while giving high praise.
"I'm not going to get ahead of myself right now," Blashill said. "Let's see. He's done a really good job so far. He's a good player. There's zero doubt. He plays the right way. When he's been able to produce while also playing the right way, I think that's the biggest key. … He doesn't need to cheat to create offense, and so then he earns ice time."
Blashill does much the same for Seider, praising his offensive instincts and swagger while not getting carried away.
"My thing with Moritz is, like any winning hockey player, just make sure that that offense comes in an efficient manner without big risk, especially on the back end," he said. "I don't know what his upside is offensively. I guess we'll let him prove it on a night-to-night basis."
The biggest challenge in the short term might be handling the NHL grind during an 82-game schedule.
Raymond played 33 games for Frolunda of the Swedish Hockey League in 2019-20 and 34 for them last season. Seider played 49 games for Grand Rapids of the American Hockey League in 2019-20, then 41 for Rogle of the SHL last season.
"I don't care [about the] number of games," Blashill said. "There's nothing [that compares] in terms of the relentless nature of the NHL schedule."
The Red Wings have talked about it and will help them manage it.
"I think sometimes when you're young, you feel like you need to be out for everything, and certainly the conversations I've had with the guys is, you don't," Blashill said. "Not only do you not need to, but I don't want you to. And so we'll keep watching."
So far, so good, though.
After a 2-1 win at the Boston Bruins on Tuesday, the Red Wings flew back to Detroit and played the Seattle Kraken on Wednesday. Raymond played 21:22 and Seider played 23:00. Raymond scored in the third period. Seider had an assist on the goal, his second of the game. The Red Wings won 4-3 in a shootout.
"Some nights, the hands maybe [aren't] there, but you've still got to find ways to pull through," Raymond said. "But yeah, I mean, it's fun. I think most of us like playing hockey and playing games."
