Seider Lands in NHL's Top 10 Defensemen While Detroit Rebuilds Around Him

Moritz Seider was named among NHL.com's top 10 defensemen in the league this week, an acknowledgment that lands at an odd moment for the Red Wings. The organization is without a general manager, carrying three players on injured reserve, and still sorting out the goaltending situation after a complete reshaping of that position this offseason. Seider's recognition is a reminder that Detroit does have something real to build around on the blue line.

His 2025–26 numbers support the ranking. Seider posted 33 points and a +13 rating in 49 games while logging 25.1 minutes of ice time per night — the heaviest workload among Detroit's defensemen. That plus-minus stands out on a team that allowed 4.5 goals per game over its final 10 contests and finished with a -17 goal differential on the season.

The incoming GM, whoever emerges from the search firm process Christopher Ilitch formalized earlier this month, will inherit a roster with genuine questions at nearly every level. Seider is not one of those questions.