Jeremy Laura: Lucas Raymond - thoughts and highlights

Never hurts building from the backend out, we do have something to look forward to. This season needs to end for everyone.

Never hurts building from the backend out, we do have something to look forward to. This season needs to end for everyone.
- Tee56

Agreed. I’m impressed with the defensive prowess that the forwards are showing, but getting some more speed and skill on the backend would help so much.

Is it expected that Raymond will be playing with the wings next year or will he likely be back in the SHL/AHL?

Also if we were to say that all the top 10 prospects this year were on an even level and that there’s no clear BPA would you rather the wings select a D or a forward?

(Personally I would lean towards selecting a D just cause the top players in the next 2 drafts are all forwards and barring a surprise breakout season the wings may find themselves in a position to select one of those players)

Agreed, draft priorities should be 1) LD, 2) C, 3) C, 4)W, and at least 1goalie. Of course one can not adhere to one's needs if BPA is too talented to pass up.

Mantha nets another one! He is a goal a game since traded! Caps will reap the rewards of this trade on the front end, hopefully Stevie will have much better results in 3 yrs on this trade.

Is it expected that Raymond will be playing with the wings next year or will he likely be back in the SHL/AHL?

Also if we were to say that all the top 10 prospects this year were on an even level and that there’s no clear BPA would you rather the wings select a D or a forward?

(Personally I would lean towards selecting a D just cause the top players in the next 2 drafts are all forwards and barring a surprise breakout season the wings may find themselves in a position to select one of those players)
- RedC21

I think Raymond will have an opportunity as long as Yzerman thinks it will benefit him. If the shutdowns had thrown this past season off I think Seider would have had a crack at the roster. As long as the AHL and NHL are functioning “normally”, I expect Raymond to get an opportunity.

We really do need Left D. Unless Yzerman swings a huge deal to grab a young D man (Chycrun is my favorite, but good luck!) I would expect that to be a priority. I say that with this caveat, Yzerman has been almost impossible to guess as far as draft picks go. He will grab the player he wants and most of us won’t know much about them until after the draft!

I think Raymond will have an opportunity as long as Yzerman thinks it will benefit him. If the shutdowns had thrown this past season off I think Seider would have had a crack at the roster. As long as the AHL and NHL are functioning “normally”, I expect Raymond to get an opportunity.

We really do need Left D. Unless Yzerman swings a huge deal to grab a young D man (Chycrun is my favorite, but good luck!) I would expect that to be a priority. I say that with this caveat, Yzerman has been almost impossible to guess as far as draft picks go. He will grab the player he wants and most of us won’t know much about them until after the draft!
- Jeremy Laura

I like that. With Holland we usually knew which player he was targeting. He'd use his press puppets like HSJ, Khan and Kulfan to sell the fanbase on who he planned on drafting. Remember how he made sure all Red Wings fans know he was targeting Evan Bouchard? Then Zadina fell to #6 and he took him.

Yzerman doesn't do this. No Red Wings fan had any idea Seider would be his first round pick. That pick literally came out of nowhere. Some predicted Raymond but he certainly wasn't the consensus pick. I prefer not knowing. Maybe it's because Holland always used his press dummies to tell Red Wings fans what to think. He'd always justify why he did what he did.

"I couldn't re-sign Marian Hossa because I had to earmark $3 million to Jiri Hudler." No you didn't. Yzerman is a breath of fresh air. 👍

I like that. With Holland we usually knew which player he was targeting. He'd use his press puppets like HSJ, Khan and Kulfan to sell the fanbase on who he planned on drafting. Remember how he made sure all Red Wings fans know he was targeting Evan Bouchard? Then Zadina fell to #6 and he took him.

Yzerman doesn't do this. No Red Wings fan had any idea Seider would be his first round pick. That pick literally came out of nowhere. Some predicted Raymond but he certainly wasn't the consensus pick. I prefer not knowing. Maybe it's because Holland always used his press dummies to tell Red Wings fans what to think. He'd always justify why he did what he did.

"I couldn't re-sign Marian Hossa because I had to earmark $3 million to Jiri Hudler." No you didn't. Yzerman is a breath of fresh air. 👍
- gergeswillems

Yzerman has some serious confidence regarding direction. He’s doing his own thing, and making an impressive number of moves. Total change in dynamic

I think Raymond will have an opportunity as long as Yzerman thinks it will benefit him. If the shutdowns had thrown this past season off I think Seider would have had a crack at the roster. As long as the AHL and NHL are functioning “normally”, I expect Raymond to get an opportunity.

We really do need Left D. Unless Yzerman swings a huge deal to grab a young D man (Chycrun is my favorite, but good luck!) I would expect that to be a priority. I say that with this caveat, Yzerman has been almost impossible to guess as far as draft picks go. He will grab the player he wants and most of us won’t know much about them until after the draft!
- Jeremy Laura

I would much rather get Werenski if Yzerman was making a deal for a young left Dman and him being great friends with Larkin would just be a bonus.

Having something like

Werenski - Seider
Oleksiak - Hronek
Djoos - Stetcher

They would have good mobility with good puck movement along with a bit of bite on the back end. They would still be a lottery team unless Yzerman can find a good playmaking center for the top 6.

I would much rather get Werenski if Yzerman was making a deal for a young left Dman and him being great friends with Larkin would just be a bonus.

Having something like

Werenski - Seider
Oleksiak - Hronek
Djoos - Stetcher

They would have good mobility with good puck movement along with a bit of bite on the back end. They would still be a lottery team unless Yzerman can find a good playmaking center for the top 6.
- dcz28

Who are you trading (realistically) for Werenski? Keep in mind Columbus has 3 1st round picks this year.

Who are you trading (realistically) for Werenski? Keep in mind Columbus has 3 1st round picks this year.
- gergeswillems

That is the problem, i don't think the Wings have what the Jackets really want. Jackets i think would want a solid young center. Wings only have Larkin. If they would take something like Rasmussen/Veleno, Raymond and a draft pick (not the Wings first), i would make that deal in a heartbeat but i can't see them wanting to make a deal without a proven top 6 young center.

Really the only players i wouldn't be willing to include in a deal for Werenski is Larkin and Seider. I would be willing to give the Wings first this year as long as they don't give up much else with it.

I think Raymond will have an opportunity as long as Yzerman thinks it will benefit him. If the shutdowns had thrown this past season off I think Seider would have had a crack at the roster. As long as the AHL and NHL are functioning “normally”, I expect Raymond to get an opportunity.

We really do need Left D. Unless Yzerman swings a huge deal to grab a young D man (Chycrun is my favorite, but good luck!) I would expect that to be a priority. I say that with this caveat, Yzerman has been almost impossible to guess as far as draft picks go. He will grab the player he wants and most of us won’t know much about them until after the draft!
- Jeremy Laura

All of this is true. Since the Seider pick I’ve starting considering what yzerman did in Tampa and if there is a comparable player in the ballpark that reflects those decisions.

For example let’s say if the Wings are selecting 4th or later I’m guessing he may prefer edvinsson just cause from what I’ve read he seems more comparable to Hedman than power/Clarke.