Aftonbladet’s Mattias Karlsson spoke with Red Wings legend Nicklas Lidstrom regarding the progress made by Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider over the course of the Red Wings’ first six games. What follows is roughly translated from Swedish:
On Lucas Raymond: “Steve Yzerman is happy”
Lucas Raymond got a lot of attention after his hat trick for the Red Wings.
Team legend Nicklas Lidstrom has been over in Michigan and followed the 19-year-old closely.
“Steve Yzerman thinks that Lucas Raymond shows the qualities that they drafted him for, and is very satisfied,” says “Lidas.”
Lucas Raymond scored a hat trick in the 6-3 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks in Illinois.
The right-handed forward from Gothenburg has registered a total of seven points in six games in the NHL, which leads the rookie points totals.
Now 51-year-old Nicklas Lidstrom was together with, among others, Henrik Zetterberg on site during the first three home games of the season.
The Swedes were out on the ice when Dylan Larkin was officially hailed as the new captain in front of the crowd.
“That hat trick was unbelievable, Lucas Raymond has showed his qualities by being able to both hit hard on the goal and to have a strong, direct shot. He has done incredibly well, and had played on the first line with Dylan Larkin and Tyler Bertuzzi and gained confidence on the power play both 5 on 4 and in 5 on 3 play. He’s getting a lot of playing time and earning important minutes, 16-18 minutes per game, which is a lot for a 19-year-old. He’s really getting chances in the offensive zone, and he’s impressed me,” says “Lidas.”
“Very smart player”
As recently as last season, Lucas Raymond was almost having a hard time earning a spot on Frolunda in the SHL, from time to time, and had limited playing time and confidence.
“I think he’s adapted very well to NHL hockey. It goes faster on the smaller rink, and you have to make faster decisions than in the SHL. He’s strong on the puck, has a good shot and he works very hard. The first year is very much about managing to play in 82 games, with a tight schedule and a lot of travel,” says “Lidas.”
Following the previous period of greatness in the Detroit Red Wings, general manager Steve Yzerman is rebuilding the team.
Nicklas Lidstrom has good contact with Steve Yzerman, and he talked to Yzerman during his visit to the U.S.A.
“Many have been expectant about Lucas Raymond and he has lived up to the expectations as well. Steve Yzerman thinks that he’s a very smart player, just as they saw when they drafted him as the fourth player overall. Steve Yzerman thinks that Lucas Raymond shows the qualities that they drafted him for and is very satisfied,” says “Lidas.”
Likes Seider, too
The Detroit Red Wings continue to invest heavily in Swedish players, and have selected many from here in the draft in recent seasons.
“They simply want to take the best players available. Scout Hakan Andersson has been with the team for a long time, he has a good eye for talent and a strong voice,” says “Lidas.”
With seven points in their first six games, the Detroit Red Wings are third in the Atlantic Division behind the Florida Panthers and Buffalo Sabres.
“They see a bright future, but they know that there’s a bit of time left before they can be a part of the fight for the top again, and the playoffs would mostly be a bonus right now. The younger players will only get better and better. Defenseman Moritz Seider, who was with Rogle, is another player who impressed me a lot,” says “Lidas.”
Checked out Edvinsson
Another Detroit Red Wings-drafted player is defender Simon Edvinsson, who has had a breakthrough with Frolunda this fall.
“I’ve seen Simon Edvinsson for a few games in Frolunda, but also when he played here in Vasteras last season. In the way he’s behaved, he has been prominent for Frolunda, and he’s taken steps from last season. He handles himself very well and he looks comfortable in his role, he dares to hold onto the puck and he dares to push the puck up ice in the attacking zone with his fine skating,” says “Lidas.”
Lucas Raymond became the third teenager to score four points in a Detroit Red Wings game after Gordie Howe and Steve Yzerman.
