Red Wings Sign Lucas Raymond to Entry Level Contract

This afternoon, the Detroit  Red Wings announced the signing of Swedish prospect Lucas Raymond to a three-year entry level contract.

The highly touted forward played the 2020-21 season in the Swedish Hockey League, playing with Frolunda. After falling three spots in the 2020 NHL entry level draft, the Detroit Red Wings selected Raymond fourth overall.

Raymond has quickly become one of the more touted prospects, in not only Detroit’s pipeline, but the entire league. As players like Tim Stutzle and Alexis Lafrienere have entered the NHL, Raymond has essentially become the consensus number one prospect outside of the league.

Raymond missed 18-games due to injury this season, but was able to secure 18 points (6 goals, 12 assists) in 34 games with Frolunda, best for fourth in the SHL among the under 20 players. His playmaking ability and elite skills impressed in the SHL, especially considering that he is only 19 years old.

Frolunda’s season has come to an end after losing in the SHL playoffs, which frees up Raymond to head over to North America. However in an interview following the Anthony Mantha trade Monday, GM Steve Yzerman expressed concerns about obtaining visas for foreign-born athletes on such short notice in his post-trade deadline press conference.

With the entry level contract official, Raymond will likely head to North America next instead of spending another season in Sweden. The organization hasn’t made any announcement on where Raymond will be playing next season.

Either way, Red Wings fans will finally get their chance at watching the young prospect in action – whether that be wearing the Winged Wheel, or in Grand Rapids.

Raymond and Moritz Seider on the Red Wings Next Season?

Imagine the possibilities if both Yzerman draft choices end up in Detroit on the starting lineup. Seider and Raymond will make next season fun, not only from a standpoint of seeing the beginning of what is hopefully a long career in Detroit, but also what could be considered the turning point of the Yzerplan. If the skill shown by both in the SHL this season translates into the NHL, it could potentially speed the rebuild up, especially since Yzerman will be adding more pieces in the draft, free agency, and potentially a trade or two.

Hopefully, this is another sign that better days are closer than we think.