The Detroit Red Wings heard plenty from their fans on Opening Night, and Moritz Seider isn’t interested in telling anyone how they should feel.
After Dylan Larkin was booed during pregame introductions and portions of the Little Caesars Arena crowd later chanted “sell the team,” Seider defended the fans’ right to voice their frustration. For a player who could eventually become Detroit’s next captain, it was a measured response to an unusually tense start to the season.
“Everyone has a right to express their feelings and we just have to deal with it,” Seider said, per Ted Kulfan of The Detroit News. “We handled it pretty well. Everyone gave it their best shot and that’s what we’ll continue to do.”
Red Wings Fans Made Their Feelings Clear
The frustration began before Detroit’s season opener against the New York Rangers even started. Larkin, who requested a trade in June and opened the season on injured reserve, was booed when he was introduced with Detroit’s inactive players, giving the former captain an immediate taste of how some fans feel about his decision.
Things then shifted from Larkin to ownership once the game started. After New York jumped ahead 1-0 in the opening period, fans began chanting “sell the team,” adding to the pressure surrounding Chris Ilitch after Detroit entered the season with the NHL’s longest active playoff drought, according to the league’s review of Detroit’s 2025-26 elimination.
Seider didn’t criticize either reaction. Instead, he essentially acknowledged that playing in Detroit means accepting the emotions that come with a frustrated fanbase and continuing to play.
Seider Keeps His Focus on the Ice
That approach is noteworthy considering Seider’s growing leadership role within the organization. Detroit entered the season without naming a new captain after Larkin was stripped of the position before training camp, putting additional attention on players such as Seider as the Red Wings determine who will eventually wear the “C.”
Seider has already become one of Detroit’s foundational players, appearing in every regular-season game since making his NHL debut in 2021 and winning the Calder Trophy as a rookie. His durability and importance to Detroit’s blue line have made him a central piece of the franchise’s future, as reflected in his official NHL career record.
His response to Friday’s atmosphere was simple.
Fans can express themselves. The players have to handle it.
Considering everything heard inside Little Caesars Arena on Opening Night, that may become an important part of the job this season.
4 Responses
I feel the booing of Larkin was understandable, but unnecessary. The chant..”sell the team” a very sobering and correct reaction. Larkin has done everything to piss off the fans, so what did he expect??? But the firing of Yzerman was stupid and will come back to bite them so hard in the ass, it won’t be pretty. If the owner won’t spend money how does a GM stock his team with vets when all you can get the money for are prospects.
I agree 100% with your assessment Patrick. History is so ironic, Mike Illitch took over the Red Wings at what was their lowest point and appalled at the way prior ownership had treated our “former greats” Howe, Lindsay, Abel.
I’m not so sure that Steve Yzerman was fired, (then immediately) “promoted to VP-Senior Advisor, I’m hoping that when things come out in the wash that truth be told Yzerman’s hands were tied!
I agree 100% with your assessment Patrick. History is so ironic, Mike Ilitch took over the Red Wings at what was their lowest point and appalled at the way prior ownership had treated our “former greats” Howe, Lindsay, Abel.
I’m not so sure that Steve Yzerman was fired, (then immediately) “promoted to VP-Senior Advisor, I’m hoping that when things come out in the wash that truth be told Yzerman’s hands were tied!
Booing Larkin was very necessary. He has proven over the last couple years he doesnt have the sand to be the captain. That would mean pissing off your team mates from time to time and he didnt have the guts. Thats why he was happy as the third line center in the olympics. No leadership involved. Additionally, what was this stuff about we cant pay anyone more than Dillon? Does Larkin think he runs the team? Steve quit because two years ago he could gave gotten Stamkos and Ilitch killed the deal. Then they could have had Mantha this year but Ilitch dallied. Mantha said screw it and signed with the Devils. Steve said screw it i quit. This team is on the verge of another long playoff run. The owner isnt. So over the next several years you will see our good players be great somewhere else while we have PROSPECTS.
This kind of circus is indicative of one thing. Poor leadership that comes straight from the top. Chris Ilitch. The disaster you are seeing is because he thinks you can put any kind of crap on the ice and call it a team. Just like his pizzas. You want a different example look at Utah. Thier owner said we are going to make the playoffs. They did. Or Vegas. Thier owner said Stanley Cup in year 6. Guess what. Its not the Red Wings dont have what it takes to make the playoffs its that the owner doesnt.