The Hockey News’s Tony Ferrari lists a slate of young players who might “break out” during the preseason, and he includes Red Wings forward Lucas Raymond on his list:
Lucas Raymond, RW, Detroit Red Wings: Sophomore slumps suck. Lucas Raymond would agree with that, as the Red Wings’ burgeoning star had an up-and-down year last year. He started slow and then got back to playing his game before falling off again and repeating that trend throughout the year.
The tough part of playing in the NHL, especially as a sophomore who made a big impact as a rookie, is that opposing players in the league get the notebook on your game, and it’s on you to diversify and adjust your game accordingly.
Raymond looks poised to ride shotgun with team captain Dylan Larkin once again, but they will be adding an elite goal-scorer to the opposite wing as Alex DeBrincat joins the Wings. With Raymond freed up a bit more, some added strength to his frame from a good off-season, and some maturity coming into his third NHL season, we could see the 21-year-old Red Wing ascend to star status.
