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Brennan McClain has taken a look at next year’s RFA class. Detroit certainly has 2 players that will be in discussion. There seems to be a consensus that Lucas Raymond will probably be offered a bridge or modified bridge deal. Not the case with Seider.
To his credit, McClain reminded readers that Seider jumped 15 to 17 spots higher than predicted. For those who don’t remember, one of the more impressive pre draft focuses for the young German defenseman was to interview with every team. He wanted the experience and used it as a learning opportunity. Most of us (myself included) don’t really know how those meetings go. Some GMs have had to address cultural changes while others want to see how players process information. It gets more challenging each year to “keep your nose clean… in terms of social media or even just taking an Uber trip.
At his first training camp, I watched Seider step up and be very vocal on the ice and the bench. Not in an arrogant way, but with a confidence that seems to be a genuine reflection of the individual. I like his skating, love his creativity and his journey since the draft has had its share of highlights. All that said, the guesstimate for his next deal is 8 years x 8.4. In the salary cap era that is the largest RFA deal I can remember. That said, Seider is someone I feel confident in being a leader on the blue line.
As for Raymond, both had a step back numbers wise but I like Raymond’s skating and positioning. Having another right wing in Debrincat it may well open things up for Lucas and feel that he will make a move forward. I am optimistic about the young group, a little less so about the 2nd and 3rd line centers but I have to sit back and watch how this iteration meshes and what comes of the new chemistry in the room and on the bench.
Let me know how you feel about Seider and Raymond moving forward, and do any of you feel that a rookie is going to break out and shuffle the deck.