Hockeytown rookies among NHL's best

It hasn't been an easy season for the Detroit Red Wings, but the future looks bright in Hockeytown.
In an NHL rookie class headlined by an impressive list of players, the Red Wings boast a pair of first-year skaters who are establishing themselves among the best in the league.

Heading into the final stretch of the 2021-22 regular season, Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond are both making a strong case for the Calder Trophy, awarded annually to the NHL's top rookie. Detroit's rookie goalie, Alex Nedeljkovic, has also made a huge impact as one of the top young netminders in the league.
The sixth overall pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, Seider has established himself as a staple along Detroit's blue line. As of April 7, he paced all Wings defensemen in games played (71), points (45), assists (40) and average ice time (23 minutes per game).
On April 5, Seider finished with a helper in Detroit's 5-3 win over the Boston Bruins, becoming just the second rookie defenseman in the past 20 years to reach the 40-assist mark.
According to Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill, the 21-year-old continues to develop as the end of his rookie season approaches.
"He's advanced in his all-around game," Blashill said. "Does he need to get better at stuff? Absolutely, because ultimately, he wants to be the best and to do that, he'll have to continue to work like crazy to get better at things. I think he will. I think he'll work like crazy."

Through his first 71 NHL games, Seider led all first-year skaters in assists, power-play points (19) and average ice time. The defenseman's 45 points also ranked fourth among rookies.
Seider has become a constant in the Red Wings lineup, and his responsibilities have grown. But he's taking everything in stride.
"I'm not very nervous," Seider said. "I just try to play my A-game every night."
Seider expects a lot of himself, and his commitment to his craft has impressed his teammates and coaches. Seider's play has also impressed opposing coaches.
"Big guy, physical, has skill and confidence," Toronto Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said about Seider. "For a young player, he's definitely one of the elite defenders in the league and a big part of where their team is coming here in terms of that young talent."
Another fresh-faced star emerging in Detroit is Raymond, who has raised the Red Wings' offensive ceiling. Through his first 71 games, Raymond was ranked second among NHL rookies in points (53), second in goals (22) and fourth in assists (31).
"He's had to really, really work for every amount of offense he's given us while playing good defensively," Blashill said about Raymond. "Overall, I think he's done a good job with the rigors of the season up 'till now and I hope he can finish strong as well."
In Detroit's 6-3 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on March 22, Raymond scored his 20th goal of the season, joining Michael Bunting (Toronto) and Tanner Jeannot (Nashville) as just the third rookie to reach the 20-goal plateau this season.

Looking back on the 2020 NHL Draft, Blashill is thankful Raymond fell to Detroit at fourth overall.
"That draft, honestly if you look through the first 20 picks, there's a lot of really good players in that mix," Blashill said. "I think the first four or five picks were all really good prospects and we were lucky that it was that deep at the top of the draft to get a player of what I think his caliber is gonna be."
The 20-year-old Raymond has provided a boost to the Red Wings' top line. And as the season winds down, he's eager to take his game to the next level.
"You're always trying to get better at the things you're lacking a bit and keep improving the things that are your strengths," Raymond said. "I think my shot is one of those things I always try to work on. I think that's a huge part of the game and something that I will always work on."
Nedeljkovic was drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2014. He spent three seasons developing as a pro before appearing in 23 games for Carolina last season, finishing third in Calder Trophy voting. He was traded to Detroit this past offseason but remains in the running for the honor under the award's eligibility rules.

As of April 7, Nedeljkovic's 18 wins and two shutouts ranked second among rookie netminders.
"I've got all the confidence in the world in myself to go out there every night and give the guys a chance to win," Nedeljkovic said. "And to personally be one of the better goalies in the league, I've got a long way to go, but that's how I view things."