NHL.com dropped this little ditty overnight, suggesting that Lucas Raymond might eventually be one of 20 young wingers who could join the NHL Network’s Top 20 Wingers at some point in the future. Why “at some point?”
NHL Network will reveal its list of the top 20 wings in the League right now Wednesday when the first of a nine-part series debuts (NHLN, 6 p.m. ET).
While we wait for that much-discussed annual list, NHL.com asked a panel of its writers to identify players who could join the top 20 list next season.
Here is the NHL.com list:
It’s an honor just being mentioned, I suppose…
Lucas Raymond, Detroit Red Wings
Selected by the Red Wings with the No. 4 pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, Raymond quickly is developing into an elite offensive forward and soon could be considered one of the top 20 wings in the League. Raymond led Detroit last season with 80 points (27 goals, 53 assists) in 82 games. The Red Wings have not qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs since 2015-16 and will be counting heavily on Raymond to help end the drought this season. The 23-year-old has continued his steady progression since he had 57 points (23 goals, 34 assists) in 82 games as a rookie in 2021-22. With his prime years still in front of him, it’s reasonable to believe Raymond could push for the 100-point plateau. Detroit has not had a 100-point player since Sergei Fedorov had 107 points (39 goals, 68 assists) in 78 games in 1995-96. — Derek Van Diest, staff writer
Continued…Maybe next year…
