What Can Lucas Raymond Do For an Encore?

What can the Detroit Red Wings expect from Lucas Raymond in his sophomore season? Last season, Raymond had an exceptional year as a rookie, scoring 23 goals and 57 points while playing all 82 games. This year, Raymond is expected to play on the top line again, but with increased depth at forward, his line may not get as much attention as they received last year.

Here is a profile look at Red Wings’ right winger, Lucas Raymond.

Lucas Raymond, RW

Age: 20

Draft: 2020 Round 1 #4 Overall by Detroit Red Wings

2022-2023 Contract: $925,000 (year 2 of a three-year entry-level contract)

Career in Sweden

Lucas Raymond played in the Frolunda organization

When he played in Sweden, Lucas Raymond played in all levels of the Frolunda organization. When he was only 12 years old, Raymond started playing in the U16 division of Swedish hockey. In 72 games over four years, Raymond scored an impressive 71 goals and 151 points, playing against older and stronger competition.

By the time Raymond was 14, he also played in the U18 division. In 56 games over three years, he scored 38 goals and 84 points.

Starting when Raymond was 15, he was playing in Sweden’s highest junior level, the J20 SuperElit. In 54 games over three seasons, he scored 16 goals and 62 points. In 2018-2019, Raymond played his first games in the SHL and scored two goals in 10 games. He also represented Sweden at the WHC-17, and in six games, Raymond scored four goals and seven points. In the same year, Raymond played seven games in the WHC-18 and scored four goals and eight points.

In 2019-2020, Raymond played most of the season in the SHL. In 33 games, he scored four goals and 10 points, with a +6 rating. Raymond also represented Sweden in the WJC-20and scored two goals and four points in seven games.

Lucas Raymond representing Sweden at the WJC-20

Immediately after being drafted by Detroit in 2020, Raymond played one final season for Frolunda in the SHL. In 34 games, he scored six goals and 18 points and had a +1 rating. He also played in the WJC-20 for the second time and scored two goals and five points in five games.

Signing and Playing with Detroit

In April 2021, Raymond signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Detroit Red Wings. For the duration of the contract, Raymond will have a cap hit of $925,000. Raymond was expected to start his North American professional career with Detroit’s farm team in Grand Rapids (AHL). Raymond had an excellent training camp, and winger Jakub Vrana was injured to start the year.

Raymond made the opening night roster in Detroit; the rest is history. For most of the year, Raymond led all NHL rookies in scoring. When the grind of an NHL schedule got the better, Raymond slowed down the stretch but still ended up third in rookie scoring behind 26-year-old Toronto rookie Michael Bunting and Anaheim center Trevor Zegras. The above pair of forwards and Detroit defenseman Moritz Seider were nominated for the Calder Memorial Trophy as the most outstanding rookie.

Expectations for 2022-23

While watching Lucas Raymond as a rookie, there is no doubt that he thrives in high-pressure situations. He is slick with the puck, has a tremendous shot, can score and set up goals, and appears to have terrific chemistry with linemates Tyler Bertuzzi and Dylan Larkin.

Only time will tell if new head coach Derek Lalonde will keep the trio together. With additional forward depth in David Perron and Andrew Copp and a healthy Jakub Vrana, it will be more challenging to focus defensively against just one Red Wings line this year.

I believe with one year under his belt, Raymond will thrive under a new system in Detroit and will likely become a 30-goal scorer, similar to both of his linemates from a year ago. It will be fun watching Raymond prosper into a budding superstar in the NHL.

The return of the Lyon King The Production Line Podcast

In this episode, we break down the Red Wings' first six games of the season, going 3-3. We discuss the impressive start from Alex Lyon, Marco Kasper's recall, the team's problems generating offense, and more!
  1. The return of the Lyon King
  2. The 23-Man Roster Set and Kasper Sent Down
  3. Preseason Storylines and Red Wings' Roster Predictions
  4. Red Wings' Training Camp Opens
  5. The Three RFAs

Discover more from Inside The Rink

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Chris Giles

Chris Giles is a former junior hockey player and coach from Canada. He has been a diehard Detroit Red Wings fan for almost 50 years. Chris is an avid golfer who has volunteered at several PGA and Canadian Open Championships throughout North America.

One thought on “What Can Lucas Raymond Do For an Encore?”

Leave a Reply

Adam Proteau

Catching up With Adam Proteau of The Hockey News

With the trade deadline behind us and teams pushing toward the Stanley Cup playoffs, I figured now was as good a time as ever to conduct an email interview with the great Adam Proteau of The Hockey News. Adam was kind enough to take time out of his busy writing schedule to give us his […]

Read More
Todd McLellan behind the bench

March Contiues to Be a Month That Sinks the Detroit Red Wings Playoff Hopes

March has been the part of the NHL schedule that has caused the Detroit Red Wings the most trouble in the past three seasons. In two of these three seasons, the Red Wings were led by former head coach Derek Lalonde. The Red Wings had a record of 3-11 in March of 2024 under Lalonde. […]

Read More
New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes celebrates a first-period goal against the Minnesota Wild.

New Jersey Devils Take Down Wild in a Shootout to Sweep the Season Series

The New Jersey Devils defeated the Minnesota Wild 3-2 in a shootout on Monday night at the Prudential Center, sweeping the home-and-home season series between the two. Looking to end a three-game winless streak at home, the Devils put together another 60-plus minute effort that earned them a resilient and well-deserved win over a team […]

Read More