A discussion of RFA contracts (including Raymond and Seider’s probable deals)

The Score’s Josh Wegman estimates the dollar amounts of contracts that will be signed by the NHL’s remaining restricted free agents today. He discusses both Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider’s likely contracts. Here’s what he has to say about Raymond’s probable deal…

LUCAS RAYMOND, Red Wings

Age: 22
Position: LW
Projection: 8 years, $8M AAV 💰

The Red Wings might’ve gotten a bargain out of Raymond had they signed him to an extension before he exploded for a career-high 31 goals and 41 assists in 82 games in 2023-24. If nothing materialized because Raymond wasn’t interested in signing before the season, it turned out to be a wise move on his part.

As the No. 4 pick in 2020, this type of top-line production was expected of Raymond, and he delivered. His season was boosted slightly by a robust 19% shooting percentage, though.

Still, Raymond is undoubtedly one of the Red Wings’ core players. With plenty of current cap space, and more money opening up over the next few years, getting Raymond signed to a long-term deal should be a top priority. This cap hit may seem a bit steep in the short term, but it could age well as the cap rises and Raymond continues to blossom through his prime.

The cap hit comes in slightly above those of long-term pacts signed this offseason for young forwards Juraj Slafkovsky ($7.6-million AAV) and Matty Beniers ($7.14-million AAV), but less than an older, more established winger like Travis Konecny ($8.75-million AAV).

And Moritz Seider:

MORITZ SEIDER, Red Wings

Age: 23
Position: RD
Projection: 8 years, $8.5M AAV 💰

While it’d be fitting for the Red Wings to announce identical long-term extensions for Seider and Raymond, that may not be in the cards. Seider’s camp can point to long-term extensions signed within the past year for comparable defensemen Jake Sanderson ($8.05-million AAV) and Owen Power ($8.35 million) to make a case that he deserves more.

Seider has been a true workhorse in his three-year career, averaging 22:51 per contest while never missing a game. He won the Calder Trophy in 2021-22 with 50 points and has since rattled off back-to-back 42-point campaigns. Neither Sanderson nor Power have produced a single 40-point season.

However, Seider has endured some struggles in his own zone the last two seasons, notably posting minus-9.4 defensive goals above replacement in 2023-24, the worst mark among NHL defensemen.

Nonetheless, 6-foot-3, right-shooting defensemen who are highly physical, mobile, and productive tend to get paid in the NHL. Seider, who was drafted sixth overall in 2019, should be no different despite the underlying concerns.

I honestly think that the “comparables” signed this summer by players like Travis Konecny and the Sabres’ massive overpay for Rasmus Dahlin (An $11 million man) are holding things up a bit.

We all know by now that Steve Yzerman is a methodical GM, and that he tends to use all the time he’s given to squeeze out the proper deals, but I’m gonna admit that even I am getting a little nervous about the timeline here.

I actually talked to my therapist about the jitters I’m dealing with because these guys’ contracts are taking so long, and between you and me, I definitely think that both players are going to get done before training camp, but my anxiety disorder is making me feel as nervous as many of you do regarding the interminable wait we’ve been subjected to.