This thread is a good place to post the reminder that while Seider certainly projects to be a difference maker, him being an "elite" blueliner may take patience. Victor Hedman, likely the best defender in the NHL today, didn't come into his own until his 5th NHL season. It's hard to imagine people calling Hedman underwhelming, but that was the chatter at the start of his career.
Victor Hedman emerges as a Lightning star
Oh, and young Hedman got snubbed that year from the 2014 Swedish Olympic team. For the likes of Henrik Tallinder, Johnny Oduya, and of course our boy Jonathan Ericsson.
Victor Hedman emerges as a Lightning star
"Heddy has just come into his own,'' Lightning coach Jon Cooper said. "It's a tribute to him that he has weathered his ups and downs. He has weathered his critics.''
There were plenty of those in Hedman's first four seasons in the NHL. You tend to collect your share when you're the second overall pick and have the poor taste to not look like the next Bobby Orr right off the plane.
"That weighs on you,'' Cooper said.
Hedman heard the grumbling earlier in his career. No one called him a bust, but there were those who wondered if he was worth the second pick back in 2009.
He showed flashes of stardom, but eventually, fans grow tired of potential. They start looking back at the draft and lamenting the players the Lightning could have had.
Oh, and young Hedman got snubbed that year from the 2014 Swedish Olympic team. For the likes of Henrik Tallinder, Johnny Oduya, and of course our boy Jonathan Ericsson.