Lucas Raymond wants to make a big long-term impact with the Red Wings
This story appeared on hockeysverige.se and has been translated from Swedish to English.
After years of trying, the Detroit Red Wings aim to shift gears and finally make it back to the playoffs. So far, the team sits second last in the Atlantic Division, so things aren’t looking too good.
But the team’s Swedish star, Lucas Raymond, has had a strong start, leading the team in scoring alongside Alex DeBrincat with 17 points. So far, he has emerged as somewhat of an assist king, scoring only two goals, but providing 15 assists early in the season.
Raymond was selected fourth overall in the 2020 NHL Draft by the Detroit Red Wings and has started to live up to expectations within the organization. Now entering his fourth NHL season, he has established himself as one of the team’s key players.
“It’s gone by so fast”, Raymond said. “It feels like last year was almost my first year, which has been incredibly fun. From the moment I joined in my first year, the way the city, the fans, and the organization have taken care of me has been fantastic and very enjoyable.
“Also, being part of the journey we’re on as a team to get to where we want to be is extremely exciting. It feels like we take a step forward every year. I’m looking forward to what the future holds.”
One of the big talking points over the summer was Lucas Raymond’s contract situation. His rookie contract expired after last season, setting the stage for him to sign his first major NHL deal.
Negotiations dragged on, and Raymond spent the summer in Sweden, staying there well into September. Eventually, both parties reached an agreement, and Raymond traveled to the U.S. just in time to participate in Detroit’s training camp.
What was the process like before the contract was finalized? Was it a nerve-wracking wait?
“Well, yes and no. My mindset was to try to treat it like any other summer—just do everything I could to prepare for the season. Of course, it’s easier when you have a set date for when you’re heading over. That was probably the biggest difference.
“But beyond that, everything went smoothly. I had excellent support from my agents, who handled everything, so I could focus entirely on my training and preparation. Of course, when it’s just three or four days before camp starts and everyone else is already there, it does get a bit stressful. But overall, it worked out very well.”
Ultimately, Detroit and Raymond agreed on an eight-year contract with an annual salary of $8.075 million. The deal’s total value is almost $65 million, making Raymond the seventh-highest-paid Swede in the NHL and the third-highest-paid player on the Red Wings, behind only team captain Dylan Larkin and close friend Moritz Seider.
Raymond says he’s pleased with how everything turned out.
“It was, of course, a huge relief. Going into contract negotiations was entirely new for me,” Raymond said. “Even when I was younger in Sweden, it was just rookie contracts without much room for negotiation — the same when I came here. This was my first time dealing with real contract talks, and it was a unique experience.
“For me, it was clear from the start that I wanted a long-term contract because I feel so comfortable here in Detroit and want to be part of this team. It was incredibly satisfying when it all worked out, especially because we got it done in time for me to join camp and not miss anything. That was a big relief.”
The 22-year-old Gothenburg is signed until 2032, and said having a long-term deal brings peace of mind.
“It’s nice to know where you’ll be for at least the next eight years,” Raymond said. “It provides a sense of security, and it’s something you can put behind you and not worry about anymore.
“When you’re in a contract year, it’s always a bit different—there’s more talk about it, and it creates a slightly different situation. For me, though, I found it exciting during my contract year. I didn’t have any major issues with it, but once the deal was done, it was obviously a relief. It’s something you’ve worked toward for a long time, so getting it finalized is definitely fun.”
Now that you’re one of the team’s highest-paid players, do you feel extra pressure to deliver?
“No, I wouldn’t say so. My mindset has been the same every year. I don’t think that changes based on salary or anything like that. Of course, you have to perform well, but that pressure comes more from my expectations of myself. It’s part of what makes this situation fun, and I’d say I thrive in it.”
Raymond is clear about his ambition: he wants to help lead the Red Wings make the playoffs.
“I think it’s a natural next step for us. Looking at last year and how close we were, it feels like there’s no other step we can take. It’s a clear goal we have and something we’re working toward.
“There are other areas where we want to improve as well, like special teams—getting our power play and penalty kill going usually leads to better results. That’s our next step, and it’s incredibly exciting. We’ve got a lot of players coming up, especially Swedes, which is really fun to see.”
SPONSORED BY bet365