The Detroit Red Wings have recently signed Moritz Seider, a 23-year-old defenseman from Germany, to a seven-year contract valued at almost $60 million. This move comes shortly after securing forward Lucas Raymond, 22, with an eight-year deal worth $64.6 million. Seider was the sixth overall pick by Detroit in 2019 and has amassed an impressive 134 career points, the highest among defensemen drafted that year. Last season, he achieved the unique feat of recording over 200 hits and blocking 200-plus shots, while also scoring nine goals and totaling 42 points for the second consecutive year.
In 2022, Seider was honored with the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie following a stellar season where he accumulated a career-best 50 points. The Red Wings’ general manager, Steve Yzerman, is placing his trust in Seider, whose annual cap hit under the new contract will be $8.55 million, alongside Raymond to lead the team’s transformation from rebuilding to competitive. Detroit has endured an eight-season playoff drought, the longest in franchise history, since their historic 25-year streak of postseason appearances ended in 2016.
Despite recent struggles, the Red Wings, who claimed four Stanley Cups between 1997 and 2008, are determined to return to winning form. Yzerman has been active in signing key players such as Patrick Kane last summer and securing free agents like Vladimir Tarasenko on a two-year contract valued at $9.5 million following Tarasenko’s championship win with the Florida Panthers. Detroit finished last season with a 41-32-9 record, marking their first winning season since their last playoff berth.
