Lucas Raymond returned to the Red Wings’ ranks on Friday morning at Little Caesars Arena, and he reflected upon his Four Nations Face-Off experience while speaking with the Free Press’s Helene St. James…
“It was a lot of fun with a lot of great players,” Raymond said. “I think it exceeded everyone’s expectations — fans and us players. The intensity, the high pace of hockey that was played — that was a lot of fun to play in. The first game against Canada is probably one of the coolest games I’ve played in, if not the coolest, with everything going on and then all the skill on the ice.”
Raymond tied (with Pittsburgh’s Erik Karlsson) for a team-leading three points in three games.
“His game that we see here on a regular basis transferred to that type of environment, and any time that happens, that’s a good thing,” McLellan said. “Sometimes players go and try and do too much, or they’re afraid of the stage and they don’t want to make mistakes and they shrivel up. That wasn’t him at all. He skated, he shot the puck, he competed hard — all the things he would normally do here.”
The Wings (28-22-5) have 27 games left to shore up a playoff spot — they’re in the East’s second wild-card spot, a point behind the Ottawa Senators and five points out of third place in the Atlantic Division — and having just experienced such a high level of play, Raymond is eager for more.
“It was an unreal experience, but at the same time, it’s really nice to be back and just being with the guys again,” Raymond said. “Getting to put on the winged wheel, it’s nice to be back. I think I’m even more excited for what is to come now.”
St. James also posted a short video of Raymond speaking with the media…
Which compliments the Wings’ 11:00 video of Raymond and McLellan’s remarks…
And both coach Raymond and coach McLellan spoke about the difficult task that will be reintegrating Raymond and Dylan Larkin, who will rejoin the team for tomorrow’s game against Minnesota (12:30 PM on ABC/97.1 FM), into playing NHL hockey:
“It’s only human nature that (the emotion) does change a little bit, but we have to create our own excitement here, our own energy, and (Larkin) and Razor play on that top line, that top power play; Dylan wears the ‘C,’ and I don’t expect anything other than his best and I think he’ll deliver,” McLellan said.
Raymond joined the team for practice Friday after playing against the U.S. and Larkin in Sweden’s final game on Monday.
“I think we were on the ice twice at the same time and didn’t get into any contact, unfortunately,” Raymond said. “It would have been fun to get in a little board battle with him.”
Larkin scored the winning goal in Team USA’s 3-1 victory over Canada last Saturday and got better as the tournament progressed. His role and ice time increased. He started the overtime in the title game and played on a top line with Auston Matthews and Brady Tkachuk.
“He looked like he was really confident, as did Razor,” McLellan said. “(Larkin) worked his way up the lineup and was a factor in all facets of the game. You kind of know where you fit in on your own team, but where do you sit world-wide? Clearly, he’s one of the best in the world, and now he knows that. … I think it can help him immensely.”
So now Raymond and Larkin know that they’re star players, even on the international stage. And the Red Wings’ coaches and players are going to hope that they continue to play well–with as few “dips” as possible–as Raymond, Larkin and their teammates get back into the NHL grind.
