Moritz Seider named NHL's October Rookie of the Month

DETROIT -- The offseason narrative was difficult to ignore. Moritz Seider was going to make the Detroit Red Wings Opening Night roster, and be a mainstay along the blue line. Of course, much of the discussion took place before Training Camp was even on the radar. In reality, Seider still had to prove he belonged, and secure his spot. It wasn't going to be simply handed to him.
Seider, the Red Wings' first-round selection in the 2019 NHL Draft, went on to impress in Traverse City and throughout the preseason, and was officially named to the Red Wings 2021-22 roster on Oct. 11, three days before the Home Opener.

Three weeks later, the German defenseman has made October a month to remember. Seider was named the NHL's Rookie of the Month on Tuesday, becoming the first Red Wings player to earn the honor since Dylan Larkin in November 2015.
Seider enters November with eight assists in nine games, and one in each of the last five contests. If he tallies at least one helper at Montreal on Tuesday night, Seider would tie Reed Larson for the longest point streak by a rookie defenseman in franchise history (6 GP in 1977-78).
Seider attributes his early offensive contributions to letting the game come to him, as opposed to forcing the issue.
"Just staying patient, I would say," Seider said "It's not about leading the rush; it's not about jumping ahead of plays and hoping. It's just playing really good defensively and then chances will open up. Then you just have to be ready to bear down from there and execute on those chances."

Although he hasn't notched his first NHL goal yet, Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill recently said Seider's impressive right shot has opened up the offense and created several chances for his teammates.
"He does a good job that way. He knows how to get pucks through," Blashill said. "Certainly it's a big piece and he can be a real good all-around defenseman. That's what we've felt since the day he was drafted. We have to keep pushing him to make sure he can be all that he can be."
Seider has been playing with and against professionals for the past couple seasons, debuting in Grand Rapids for the Griffins shortly after being drafted by Detroit and spending the 2020-21 campaign with Rogle BK of the Swedish Hockey League.
Last year in the SHL, Seider earned 28 points on seven goals and 21 assists in 41 regular season games, and added five points on four assists and a goal in 13 playoff games. He ended the season by winning the SHL Elite Prospect's Award and being named a finalist for SHL Defenseman of the Year.
Seider will play his 10th NHL game on Tuesday night when the Red Wings face the Montreal Canadiens in a divisional road game. The rookie remains focused on improving every day and is taking life in the NHL one day at a time.
"It's a different league, it's different ice," Seider said. "We're talking about the best league in the world [in the NHL]. I'm just trying to find my way here, and I think for now, it's looking pretty good. I'm feeling really comfortable."