Seider Named World Tourney Top Defenseman By IIHF | DHN+

Some Detroit Red Wings fans have taken to referring to defenseman Moritz Seider on social media as German Lidstrom. It’s cute, maybe even a little bit clever.

It’s also patently unfair. Nicklas Lidstrom was a once-in-a-generation performer. He won seven Norris Trophies. The Red Wings will never seen another player of his ilk.

Labeling Seider as German Lidstrom would’ve been like Boston Bruins declaring Ray Bourque to be French-Canadian Orr upon his arrival as Boston’s first-round draft pick in 1979. Bourque was a sensational player. He won five Norris Trophies. But he wasn’t Bobby Orr. No one, other than Orr himself, was.

Still, no one in Boston ever complained about Bourque. He was sensational. If Seider’s career were to parallel that of Bouque’s – well, other than that bit at the end where he goes and helps the Colorado Avalanche win the Stanley Cup – Red Wings fans should, and would be delighted.