Projecting Moritz Seider's Next Contract With The Detroit Red Wings

Considering what Moritz Seider brings to the Detroit Red Wings' blueline and what two counterparts on the Sabres and Senators signed, could he get more than Lucas Raymond?

After locking up one of their top young free agents earlier this week, GM Steve Yzerman and the Detroit Red Wings still have some work to do.

Yzerman held a press conference Tuesday morning ahead of training camp to discuss Lucas Raymond's eight-year, $64.6-million extension and give some insight into the negotiation process with defenseman Moritz Seider.

Yzerman mentioned that he doesn't believe either side is "terribly far apart" and that both parties will continue to work at an extension that works well for both sides.

An underrated part of these negotiations involves Claude Lemieux, Seider's agent. 

Lemieux has recently negotiated some huge extensions for his other clients, including Timo Meier's eight-year, $70.4-million deal with the New Jersey Devils and Pierre Engvall's seven-year, $21-million contract with the New York Islanders.

Considering what Seider brings to the Red Wings' blueline, It wouldn't be surprising to see him get a massive payday, possibly larger than Raymond's. 

Taking all of this information into account, let's explore what his next contract will look like.

There's been a recent trend of long-term deals signed for emerging NHL defensemen. Considering Seider's role within the Red wings' organization, there's a good chance his next deal will follow suit. 

Owen Power of the Buffalo Sabres signed a seven-year, $58.45-million extension in October 2023 that begins this year with an $8.35-million cap hit. The 2021 first-overall pick's ceiling has been limited by playing on the left side behind their definitive No. 1 D-man in Rasmus Dahlin, but that didn't stop the Sabres from betting on his potential and offering him a massive deal. 

The Ottawa Senators signed Jake Sanderson to an eight-year, $64.4-million extension in September 2023 that also begins this season and is worth $8.05 million annually. Sanderson has taken major strides through two years in the NHL, competing with Thomas Chabot as the team's top defenseman and power-play quarterback toward the end of the 2023-24 season. 

Both of these contracts make sense for teams looking to lock up cornerstone defensemen of the future. However, better offensive production and Detroit's lack of defensive depth would suggest that Seider should be earning slightly more than both of them.

While the Red Wings are likely interested in signing Seider to an eight-year deal, their lack of cap space may limit their leverage. It's likely the 23-year-old German would command just north of $9 million on a lot of other teams, and he'll likely take on all $8.75 million that Detroit has left to spend.

With pre-season games set to begin this weekend, Yzerman and the Red Wings will do everything they can to get Seider signed and in regular-season form over the next few weeks.

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