Yesterday, Red Wings left winger Alex DeBrincat cracked EP Rinkside’s “JFresh’s” list of the top 20 left wings in hockey, at #18, and this evening, Lucas Raymond ranks as JFresh’s 18th-best right wing:
Lucas Raymond – Detroit Red Wings
2023 Ranking: Not Ranked
All the pieces haven’t fully come together for Raymond, but with each passing season, the skill set becomes more and more evident, and it’s a matter of time before he fully takes the leap. He led the Red Wings in points as a 21-year-old, setting career highs in goals and assists in the process and producing very well at 5-on-5. While not yet in the high-end of the NHL at any one particular thing (besides drawing penalties), and putting up bizarrely poor play-driving metrics, Raymond seems poised to be the Wings’ franchise forward for the next decade.
Continued (paywall); I mean this as gently as possible: Raymond doesn’t drive play per se. He reacts to play as driven by his linemates (like Dylan Larkin) and that’s where he thrives, as a reactionary player.
A reactionary player? He seems to create the play.
I don’t disagree; Raymond took a big step forward last year in terms of dictating play.
I just feel that he’s still “in progress” in that regard. Well see less of the Pronman talk over time.
Exactly… totally with ya.
I may have to buy Yzerman a pen with the #19 on it. Or send him a Starbucks gift card… something for him to sign Raymond sooner. Us fans need some news.
It’s been a LONG summer in terms of waiting for these players to be re-signed, but I guess the good news is that both players and agents keep saying that agreements can be reached.