Moritz Seider is a stud, and nobody knew it but Steve Yzerman.
OK, that's a bit of an exaggeration. Seider was on the radar of many teams, and he was projected to go in the first round of this year's draft. But no one expected a team to grab him in the top 10.
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Yzerman couldn't pass on him. Now we're all scrambling to get to know this 18-year-old German defenseman.
Here's some of the more intriguing facts about Seider:
1. He was DEL Rookie of the Year 🏅
Seider played 29 games with Adler Mannheim, of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL), this season. The DEL is Germany's top professional ice hockey league. He only had 6 points through those 29 games, but was logging heavier minutes and ended up playing 14 playoff games.
Rookie of the year, people! That's pretty nice, eh?
2. He's already won a pro championship 🏆
Seider tallied 5 assists in those 14 playoff games, helping Adler Mannheim win the DEL championship.
3. He led German defenseman at WC 🇩🇪
Germany surprised the world this spring at the World Championship, earning a 5-2 record and a trip to the tournament quarterfinals. Seider led the German defensive group with 2 goals in 5 games played.
4. He captained Germany's U20 team this year 🇩🇪
Seider captained Germany's U20 team at the World Junior Championship this year. He scored a goal and 6 assists in 5 games played in the tournament. No big deal.
5. He has great hair 👨🦱
A great head of hair cannot be overlooked or undervalued in the hockey world. Seider's glorious salad was on display at the draft. I mean, look at that flow. He's ready to lead anyone, really.
Red Wings schedule highlights 📅
The 2019-20 season opens Oct. 5 for the Red Wings. They will be on the road to face the Nashville Predators.
Detroit's home opener is Sunday, Oct. 6 against the Dallas Stars. The following home games are what I consider to be the most intriguing:
Saturday, Oct. 12 vs. Maple Leafs
This is the first Red Wings-Leafs game of the year, and it's in Detroit on "Hockey Night in Canada." Little Caesars Arena will be a party, as it is every Saturday night. There will be plenty of Leafs fans from across the border. This always makes for an entertaining atmosphere.
Sunday, Oct. 27 vs. Blues
This game has a 5 p.m. start. The Red Wings-Blues rivalry no longer exists, but the defending Stanley Cup champions visit Detroit just once this season, per usual. It will be fun to see how the Red Wings stack up against them.
Friday, Nov. 8 vs. Bruins
Everyone loves to hate the Bruins, so why not do it live and in-person? This promises to be a fun Friday night game between two Atlantic Division foes.
Saturday, Dec. 7, vs. Penguins
Sidney Crosby and his pals come to Detroit on Dec. 7 for another wild Saturday night at the LCA. Crosby is still extremely hated in Detroit, which is hilarious, amazing and idiotic all at once. Personally, I love the guy -- 2009 was the Red Wings' own fault, OK?
Saturday, Jan. 18 vs. Panthers
I'm always trying to sell people on the Florida Panthers. But look, this year they might actually be good again. No one goes to the games down in Florida (even their star Aleksander Barkov is throwing shade at the fan base -- his own fans! Wow). So let's show them what it's like to play in front of an obscene crowd at LCA.
Tuesday, Feb. 25 vs. Devils
Jack Hughes will be returning to Metro Detroit as a New Jersey Devil for this game. I mean, if he isn't on the Devils roster at this time, then there is trouble. Also, the Devils picked up P.K. Subban in a trade. They could be pretty good this year.
Friday, March 6, vs. Blackhawks
There was a time when this meeting meant a lot more, but it's still Detroit vs. Chicago. The Blackhawks are rebuilding on the fly, and it wouldn't be prudent to count them out of the playoffs this year. They are sort of a wacky lineup right now of old and new, but it may just work. And like every Western Conference team this will be their only trip to Detroit this season, unless the Red Wings meet them in the Stanley Cup final ... which is unlikely. Sorry.
#LGRW
Dave Bartkowiak Jr. authors this Red Wings newsletter. Contact him at dbartkowiak@wdiv.com.