Red Wings: What Are the Chances Lucas Raymond Wins the Calder?

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The Detroit Red Wings are in rebuild mode and have been for the past couple seasons. When that happens, you tend to be in the position to draft top tier prospects and top tier prospects is what the Red Wings have acquired. In particular, forward, Lucas Raymond.

The Detroit Red Wings group of young players has really made an impact this season. But, where does forward, Lucas Raymond, rank amongst the rookies? And what are the chances he wins the Calder Trophy this year?

Lucas Raymond started the season off incredibly well, in fact, he was easily considered the favorite for the Calder Trophy. However, there have been a lot of very good rookies this year that are making it hard to really consider Lucas Raymond the front runner.

When looking at the odds, there are roughly about eight candidates. Anaheim Ducks, Trevor Zegras, Toronto Maple Leafs, Michael Bunting, Boston Bruins, Jeremy Swayman, Florida Panthers, Anton Lundell, Minnesota Wild, Matt Boldy, Nashville Predators, Tanner Jeannot, and Detroit Red Wings, Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider.

Now, although there are eight candidates, I’d rager there are about four real candidates including both the Detroit Red Wings players: Trevor Zegras, Michael Bunting, Moritz Seider, and Lucas Raymond.

Trevor Zegras. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

The Race For the Calder Trophy

There are some really talented players making their case for winning the Calder Trophy but who actually wins has become quite the debate.

Trevor Zegras

Trevor Zegras wasn’t even a guarentee to make the roster coming into the year. I think it’s safe to say that he has earned his place in this league. So far this season Zegras has played in 65 games for the Anaheim Ducks. In those 65 games, he has 18 goals 33 assists for a total of 51 points.

Trevor Zegras has become a NHL favorite given his skill and skating ability- and easily put- I’ve not met anyone who dislikes Trevor Zegras. Well, other than John Tortorella. After he pulled off the ‘Flying Z’ pass or whatever the official name for the pass was, he was on everyone’s radar. Shortly after pulling off that move, Zegras then actually completed the Michigan.

Since that point, it really feels as though Zegras will win the Calder trophy. However, there are still three other candidates who have made a strong case.

Michael Bunting

Michael Bunting couldn’t have really been put into a better situation than the one he is in now. Playing on the Maple Leafs first line with Auston Matthews, and Mitchell Marner, his job is rather easy.

So far this season, Bunting has played in 70 games for the Maple Leafs and has produced very well. Once again, he doesn’t have to do much given the talent around him, but he has had quite the season nonetheless.

In the 70 games that Bunting has played in he has scored 20 goals, 35 assists for a total of 55 points. Those stats, being as good as they are for a rookie is still pretty good. What’s even better is the fact that Bunting currently has a +/- of +21.

Moritz Seider

Moritz Seider is the only defenseman up for the Calder trophy and what’s even crazier is the fact that he has more assists than both Bunting and Zegras. Both of which are forwards. Maybe you don’t find that crazy, but it’s pretty impressive. Now, with that being said- Seider does only have five goals which is quite far off from Zegras’ 18, and Bunting’s 20.

Seider is one of the most loved players in hockey. Well, when your not playing against him that is. His show with Joe Veleno(The MoJoe Show), has made him a fan favorite to all Red Wings fans. But more so than that, he is just a great player.

With an offensive skill-set that allows him to quite literally move the puck past defenseman and get shots off from the inside, drive to the net, and take one timers from the wing and the perimeter.

If Moritz Seider takes home the Calder Trophy I don’t think many fans at all would be disappointed.

Lucas Raymond for the Detroit Red Wings. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /

Can Lucas Raymond be the Red Wings Rookie To Bring Home the Calder?

Lucas Raymond has been one of the Red Wings best players this season and the fact that he’s a rookie makes it that much more impressive.

This season Raymond has been playing alongside Dylan Larkin and Tyler Bertuzzi and has done nothing but good things up there. With great speed, a terrific wrist shot, good vision he has found himself being one of the Red Wings most reliable players when you look at the big picture.

I emphasize the big picture part of that statement because he has gone through some droughts this season that were inevitable. If he wouldn’t have had any ups and downs then there’d be no point in talking about him because there mean’s there is nothing to really grow on. He would’ve plateaued and he is what he is.

That’s the type of person who doesn’t deserve the Calder Trophy, but Raymond does.

This season, Raymond is on pace to play in all 82 games for the Red Wings. If him and Seider both accomplish that, it’d be pretty impressive. But anyways, getting back to where I was originally going with that statement.

Raymond has played in 71 games this season for the Red Wings. In those 71 games he has 22 goals, 31 assists for 53 total points. Furthermore, he’s played really smart as he’s only obtained 16 minutes in the box. All that while averaging 18:16 per night on the ice.

Raymond has done almost everything you’d want from a rookie and seeing him win the Calder Trophy would be pretty amazing to see. But what do you think? Can Raymond walk away with the Calder this year?

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