Tag: defensman

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When the Detroit Red Wings next play there is a good chance Moritz Seider will be in the lineup

Embed from Getty Images The 2019 first round draft pick of the Detroit Red Wings has shown much promise in his development. So much so, there is a very good chance when the Detroit Red Wings play their next regular season game, Moritz Seider very well could be in the lineup.

Moritz Seider spent the 2019-20 with the Grand Rapids Griffins, posting two goals and 20 assists in 49 games. The 6 foot 4, 207-pound defenseman. The young defenseman showed maturity and a well rounded game.

Before the coronavirus pandemic, the Red Wings were planning on giving Seider an opportunity to play in a handful of games in Detroit. Now Seider’s shot will have to come at training camp.

Seider, who will turn 20 in April, projects as a key player in the Detroit Red Wings rebuild. Seider is a good puck mover who shoots right handed, and as a player is someone who can run a power play unit. His 22 points and .45 points per game average ranked second among Griffins defensemen.

Moritz Seider averaged about 23 minutes of ice time per game, and Seider also showed improvement in puck handling, as well as getting shots through to the net, and overall assertiveness.

Seider would add skill and size to the Red Wings defense corps, potentially fitting into the top four next season with Filip Hronek  a second-round pick from 2016  and veterans Danny DeKeyser and Patrik Nemeth. That would enable pairings of offensive defensemen who shoot right  Hronek and Seider with defensive defensemen who shoot left.

Moritz Seider would make the Detroit defense stronger and more athletic. Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman said of Seider  “He will get an opportunity, whenever our season kicks off. He will get an opportunity to show he is ready to play. If he is ready to go, he will play. If not, he will spend a little more time in the American Hockey League (AHL). But he had a very good year and it’s encouraging to see the things that he did in his development.”

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Detroit Red Wings prospect Vili Saarijarvi

Embed from Getty Images Right in line with Detroit Red Wings defensive prospects. Vili Saarijarvi stands 5’ 10”. Don’t let that fool you. He’s a playmaker.

In the same vein as Red Wings defensive prospect Joe Hicketts, Saarijarvi is a puck mover and above average goal scorer. He is also a defenseman who can quarterback the power play. He’s a very solid smoot player.
Like fellow defense prospect Hicketts, Vili is on the shorter side. But, does that matter? Should it matter? I really don’t think it’s a factor as more NHL teams are trending towards smaller puck moving defenseman. and those smaller defensmen are have success.
Vili Saarijarvi brings a quickness to his game that would help the quick challenged Detroit Red Wings. He’s fast and much like Joe Hicketts has no issue with people players in the boards. He’ll also, bury the puck in the back of the net.
His defensive attack does contain a flaw. He is at times too impulsive which leads to compromise for himself and his line mates. He has worked hard to brush that up. It still flares up from time to time.
He is viewed as a top four defenseman. Which makes him one of my favorite Red Wings prospects. That and he plays defense.
When he gets called up Detroit fans will enjoy this fleet footed player. As his stick work may be the best in the Detroit Red Wings lower levels.
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Detroit Red Wings prospect Joe Hicketts

Embed from Getty Images He stands 5’ 8” for a defenseman he’s not very big. But, he is very solidly-built. He can hit with the best of them and is a good player puck mover. The Detroit Red Wings were wise in calling him up.

Hicketts, is a playmaker. No matter his size. He can flat out create plays and he is an above average goal scorer. He is one of the Red Wings prospects I’ve been waiting on. And  now he gets an audition in Motown.
Even given his short stature he has all the tools to be a solid second line defenseman. In my opinion Joe Hicketts should be part of the Red Wings next group of core players moving forward.
Joe, plays with a lot of energy. Make that high energy. Hicketts credits Detroit Red Wings defensemen Niklas Kronwall as being the player he wanted to model his game after.
The difference is Kronwall is playing on two damaged knees and at 37 years old is closer to the end of his career. Joe Hicketts is 21 years old with two good knees and can be a difference maker for the Wings.
So perhaps it’s best to view this as a passing of the torch. From a good defenseman to one who aspires to be just like him.
Joe Hicketts, is worth watching. His progress should be quick. The Red Wings need to add more to the defensive crop. But Hicketts is a good place to start.