The NHL Network is about to reveal its top 10 players who play on the wing, and they listed 10 players who will have the opportunity to crack their list over the next couple of seasons. Lucas Raymond ranks among their top 10 “young wings”:
Lucas Raymond, Detroit Red Wings
The 22-year-old, the No. 4 pick of the 2020 draft, had 57 points (23 goals, 34 assists) in 82 games in 2021-22. Raymond finished fourth in the voting for the Calder Trophy, which goes to the NHL rookie of the year. After taking a step back in 2022-23, when he had 45 points (17 goals, 28 assists) in 74 games, he leapt forward last season with 72 points (31 goals, 41 assists) in 82 games, leading Detroit in scoring. Much of that was due to natural maturation, physically and mentally. He has the potential to be one of the best wings in the League, and the Red Wings will need him to be as they try to become a consistent playoff contender. — Nicholas J. Cotsonika, columnist
Continued; Raymond put on 11 pounds before last season, so it will be interesting to see whether his body continues to mature in terms of strength.
He’s never going to be a huge player, but, at 5’11” and 188 pounds, it’s more about how well Raymond can absorb and deliver a tight-checking bump-and-grind game than anything else.
He can still win a few more battles for the puck against bigger, stronger players via leverage and experience, and as he continues to grow into his body and grow into the NHL game, he’s only going to get better in tight.
