The Detroit Red Wings are one of the NHL franchise’s that will have several players representing their home countries at the 2026 Olympics. In addition to Dylan Larkin joining Team USA and Moritz Seider suiting up for Germany, Lucas Raymond for the nod for Team Sweden.
But Raymond could be the one to have the biggest impact for his respective country. The Red Wings’ top winger will headline an offensively gifted Swedish forward core that boasts talent like William Nylander, Leo Carlsson, Adrian Kempe, and Filip Forsberg.
Amid all of that talent, Raymond stands to be Sweden’s best offensive player. According to Daily Faceoff’s roster projections, Raymond could line up on the right side of Sweden’s top line. The Anaheim Ducks’ Leo Carlsson and New Jersey Devils' Jesper Bratt project to join him on the top line.
That’s nothing to sneeze at. The speed and skill of that forward line is the sort of thing that makes coaches go gray. Indeed, Raymond, lining up alongside a playmaking center like Carlsson, could find the back of the net more often than not.
However, something else stands out for Raymond at the 2026 Olympics. Raymond’s playmaking abilities have improved this season. Currently, he has just 11 goals for the Red Wings, but boasts 33 assists in 41 games. That’s another dimension that Sweden will want to see at the Olympics.
Lucas Raymond has been on fire for the Red Wings and it can carry over to the Olympics
As such, Carlsson and Raymond, two playmakers and goal-scorers in their own right, could be consistent feeders for Bratt. Given Raymond’s skill and grit, he could become the tournament’s dark horse scoring leader.
The sheer amount of talent at the Milano-Cortina Olympics makes it challenging to stand out. But then again, that’s precisely where Raymond could cement his legacy as one of the world’s best.
It remains to be seen what sort of lineup Team Sweden sends over the boards. But one thing is certain, Sweden has a better chance to capture gold with Raymond in its lineup.