The Detroit Red Wings have signed 2019 first-round NHL Draft pick Moritz Seider to a three-year, entry-level contract worth $925,000 per season. This contract carries him through the 2021-22 season.
The #RedWings today signed defenseman Moritz Seider to a three-year entry-level contract.
Details → https://t.co/gHYuO3M8yP pic.twitter.com/zUZMvnERDH
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) July 14, 2019
Moritz Seider Signs With Detroit
The 18-year-old played last season with Adler Mannheim of the Deutsch Eishockey Liga, which is Germany’s top league. He had two goals and four assists for six points to win Rookie of the Year honors in the DEL.
The 6-foot-4, 207-pound defenceman also appeared in 14 post-season games for Adler Mannheim. He added five assists in the German playoffs. His club went on to win its third straight German title.
The Zell, Germany native was taken sixth overall selection in the 2019 NHL Draft in Vancouver. He is the first German defenceman to be taken in the first round and the fourth-highest German selection.
Seider has also played internationally for his country at the junior level and was part of the German squad at the recent IIHF World Championships. He scored twice in five games for his country during the tournament.
What This Means for the Future
Some think Detroit general manager Steve Yzerman took a big risk with his first draft pick since taking over from Ken Holland. The Red Wings do need help on defence, but there were other players that had higher prospect ratings than Seider.
However, the young defender has shown a lot of promise in development camp and in game footage. He was hanging with older players in the German league and being a significant contributor to a championship team.
Seider has also show that he can be a good skater despite his size. Experts have raved about his edgework and other parts of his game. Yzerman may have rolled the dice with choice, but it could be a shrewd move if Seider realizes his potential.
He will participate in the NHL Prospects Tournament in Traverse City in September, when the Wings will decide where to assign Seider.
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – JUNE 21: Moritz Seider reacts after being selected sixth overall by the Detroit Red Wings during the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft at Rogers Arena on June 21, 2019 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
