Newark, N.J. — At some point in his career, probably sooner rather than later, defenseman Moritz Seider is going to wear a permanent leadership letter on his jersey, be it as a captain or alternate captain.
Seider appears to be ascending to that type of overall player and leadership role.
But as coach Derek Lalonde continues to rotate the alternate captains early in the season, it was striking to see Seider, only 21, get one of the ‘A’s alongside Andrew Copp Saturday in New Jersey.
“It says a lot about Mo,” Lalonde said of last season’s Calder Trophy (rookie of the year) winner earning the designation. “We’re going to help him develop his leadership. It’s not going to happen overnight, but someone that will play that significant of a role for us, in every situation, you’re going to be looked up to as a leader, right, wrong, or indifferent. It’s a reality and it’s going to be a responsibility of his.”
Even last season, as an NHL rookie, Seider impressed veteran players with the way he went about his job, his work on and off the ice, and his desire to help turn the Wings’ fortunes around.
Players also raved about his outgoing personality around other teammates, and ability to lighten the mood.
Lalonde feels Seider’s ability on the ice is recognized and respected already.
“He has a good demeanor about himself in the room,” Lalonde said. “His practice habits, you guys see how hard he practices and his developing to be better each and every day. It’s a process (leadership) that we’re trying to develop in the room, too.”
Backhanded compliment
As expected, Lalonde’s phone was working overtime after Friday’s victory with a slew of congratulations from family and friends.
“The three most I’ve ever had were the Stanley Cups (victories), getting a head coaching job and my first NHL ‘W’,” Lalonde said.
But the best text after Friday’s victory might have come from Lightning head coach Jon Cooper, under whom Lalonde was an assistant the last four seasons.
Last season, Lalonde technically earned two coaching victories while taking over the reigns for Cooper, who was unavailable due to COVID-19 protocols.
Tampa won both games with Lalonde as the head coach, but Lalonde readily admits it was because of goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy, who starred in both victories.
“We got thoroughly outplayed in both games,” Lalonde said. “Vasilevskiy stole the game in Vegas, and then stole the game at home against a depleted Montreal team (which was decimated due to COVID protocol).”
So what did Cooper text?
“His text was I would say congratulations on your first win but I know it’s not your first win, but it’s the first one where you outplayed the other team,” Lalonde said. “Of course Coop came up with the one zinger.”
Lalonde did have a response, though.
“I told him I was more comfortable against the Montreal Canadiens than the Laval Rocket (Montreal’s farm team), which they were with three-fourths of the team out with COVID,” Lalonde said.
Ice chips
Pius Suter drew into the Wings’ lineup Saturday, while Joe Veleno sat. Veleno played 11 minutes 37 seconds Friday against Montreal, as the Wings continue to decide whether Veleno would best serve continuing in the NHL or playing big minutes in Grand Rapids.
… The Wings open their schedule with three games in four nights, but Lalonde is excited about the early-season test.
“It will be a challenge but I like the challenge,” Lalonde said. “We’re trying to harden ourselves in some areas, some things with our approach and this is a little uncomfortable, which is what we want, especially early on. I’m excited to see how we handle it.”
… Defenseman Olli Maatta played 22:39 against Montreal and scored an empty-net goal in his Wings debut.
“(General manager) Steve’s (Yzerman) vision was some defensemen that could be simple, reliable and (Robert) Hagg and Olli certainly fit that,” Lalonde said. “Do we want to put 22 or 23 minutes on him every night? No, but there’s nights he’s playing like that we’re to going to him. (Ben) Chiarot had some equipment issues early on and Olli managed it real well.
“Now, we’d prefer him not going bar down from 120-feet out on the open netter, but we laughed he doesn’t get to many of those looks. I get it.”
ted.kulfan@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @tkulfan