How the Swedish Red Wings have performed in the IIHF Worlds

Not too long ago, Lucas Raymond was on the verge of being sent to Grand Rapids for a year of seasoning, as most players go through in the Detroit Red Wings system. Luckily for Wings fans and Raymond, Mrs. Blashill surmised that Raymond earned his spot in the 2021-22 season (alongside Team Germany’s captain, Moritz Seider). 

Now, Raymond wears the “A” for both Detroit and with Team Sweden for the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Men’s Ice Hockey World Championship.

It's an impressive honor to join Sweden’s captain, Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Mattias Ekholm (donning the other “A”). But, as Red Wings fans have come to know, Raymond has earned the opportunity. 

Raymond a leader for Team Sweden

While most NHL players of Raymond’s caliber are off on vacations (or in the playoffs), Raymond chose to honor his country at the international stage.

“Every time you get the chance to be part of a national team and represent Sweden, it’s a huge honor. It’s nothing to take for granted," Raymond said.

Raymond has traded in his Winged Wheel for his Tre Kronor (“Three Crowns”), along with his number 23 for 13. Without Dylan Larkin as his center, Raymond is playing on a line with Ivar Stenberg and Viggo Björck. 

Stenberg and Björck were born in 2007 and 2008 respectively, meaning they haven’t even been drafted, yet. They are both expected to go high in the upcoming NHL Entry Level Draft. 

It’s a new adventure for Raymond. Once the up-and-coming prospect, he's now shepherding the new generation in while showing why he was drafted so high in the first place.

Game one saw Raymond play 22:03 minutes (averaging 50 second shifts). Raymond scored one goal and had six shots on goal, but was a -2. He created plenty of chances for Team Sweden like this:

Raymond tripled his point total in Game Two with one goal and two assists for three total points. He registered three shots and a +2 rating in 16:53 minutes of ice time (a total of 19 shifts, averaging 53 seconds).

During Game Three, Raymond earned an assist with two shots on goal. He saw 24:10 of ice time in 24 total shifts averaging one minute per shift.

Raymond’s role as a seasoned veteran is one that he should get used to with all the young prospects expected to arrive in Detroit in the coming seasons.

While they might not be as flashy as Björck or Stenberg, they will be just as important to the Detroit Red Wings as those young Swedes are to Team Sweden.

Albert Johansson impresses as well

While Raymond might have scored the fancy goal, Johansson played one of his best games of his career against Canada. He looked confident and created chances all over the ice. His defensive work was proficient as well.

It seems as if Johansson has built upon his strong finish to his season with the Wings.

Johansson recorded four shots on goal and played in 22:29 minutes (averaging 40 second shifts) with a -1 rating in Game One. During Game Two, Johansson earned an assist, a shot on goal and a +2 rating in 21:24 minutes of ice time (28 shifts, averaging 45 seconds).

Johansson had a rough go of it in Game Three. While he had three shots on goal and a -2 rating, his 20:51 of ice time (25 shifts, 50 seconds) were the toughest so far this tournament. But it wasn't the statistical output that made this game so challenging. Johansson was checked in the neck, hacked, and whacked all game. Hopefully, he's no worse for wear.

Looking ahead for Team Sweden

With the opening loss to Canada and its win over Denmark, Sweden sits fifth in Group B in the tournament.

Sweden takes on Slovenia May 20 at 2:20 p.m. ET. US-based fans likely won't be able to watch the game as Team USA takes on Mortiz Seider's Team Germany on the day and time.

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