Lucas Raymond leading the charge for the Detroit Red Wings

Like his fans, Lucas Raymond went through a sea of uncertainty with his Detroit Red Wings this offseason. Fortunately, it looks like Raymond is taking his game to a new level regardless of who his line mates are.

While there was a slow output to begin the season, even after being dropped to the third line, Raymond is showing that previous seasons were not flukes. He's not a benefactor of someone else's game. Raymond is proving he is a star in the NHL and capable of driving ihs own line. In a way, losing his consistent line mate (Dylan Larkin) has possibly freed Raymond.

It seems like a more mature, emotionally stable player has taken the ice. When teammates get out of hand or sent to the showers early, Raymond keeps his cool. Part of this could be a result of being a mentor to his young teammates. He wants to keep them safe and serve as a good role model for them by providing a calm presence with referees when things need to be communicated back to the bench. 

Raymond has come a long way from the fiery young man from even a season ago. It's possible that playing with a guy like Moritz Seider - who is a bit more even keel on the ice than a guy like Larkin - has played a part. Raymond's maturity shouldn't be confused with complacency, though, as he still has the hunger to push himself to new heights. Raymond is happy to carry his line, whatever combination it might be today, to victory.

Where most folks would have folded, and many people (myself included) wondered if the loss of Larkin might negatively impact Raymond most, Raymond has stepped up in every way.

Raymond continues building his resume

Per HockeyStatCards on Twitter, Raymond was in the bottom percentile based on their stat model’s net rating within the NHL. To end October, though, Raymond moved to “almost top 10%”. In other words, Raymond is making incredible strides this season after a slower start:

JFresh, often an adversary to Red Wings fans, further illustrates the strides Raymond (and Seider) have taken:

In short, Raymond (and Seider) performed so well, they made JFresh’s team of the week based on the model that JFresh uses. 

Raymond on a tear early this season

It may have taken Raymond three games to earn his first point (a three-point game against the Ottawa Senators) and nine to get his first goal, but Raymond has been rolling. As of November 10, Raymond has played in 18 games has recorded six goals and 10 assists for 16 points. Of the 16 points, three goals and six assists have come on the power play. In those 16 games, he’s only had six penalty minutes while averaging a little over 20 minutes per game (the highest of his career). Two of his goals are a team-leading game winning goals (Raymond is clutch).

Raymond could have easily had an apple or two against the Tampa Bay Lightning as well.

His line of Michael Brandsegg-Nygård and Andrew Copp haven’t missed a beat since Larkin’s departure. The line is filled with players who fill their job duties with pride.

Brandsegg-Nygård has never looked so confident in the NHL. He's hitting everyone in sight, shooting pucks at will and setting up plays for his teammates. Acting as gravity to opponents, Brandsegg-Nygård gives Raymond the time and space that is needed to effectively make plays.

Copp still looks like the back-checking forward fans can continue to complain about. In reality, Copp gives Brandsegg-Nygård and Raymond the freedom to do their things without having to worry about the details -- an underrated aspect of his game.

Last Tuesday night saw a bit of a line blender (with the exception of the Emmitt Finnie, Alex DeBrincat and Viktor Arvidsson line). Raymond still created offensive chances with J.T. Compher and Michael Rasmussen -- two players that most Wings fans groan about on a daily basis. With Raymond, they look like dangerous top-six forwards.

To top it off, he's got one of the best shots on the team.

As Raymond continues to gets more confident in shooting the puck, it will be interesting to watch his season progress. In spite of everything that the Detroit Red Wings are going through, it’s great to know the they can rely on Raymond to continue to play at the star level we’ve come to appreciate.

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