Jeremy Laura: Hurricane Raymond - Lucas Raymond lives up to the hype

Much discussion has been had about what to do with Raymond. The last couple of days, there's been some back n forth with me and another poster (THINK is was DRW.....), who made the same assertion you did. I tend to agree: Keep him for 5, see how he does. If he's overwhelmed, send him down to regroup & get used to NA ice and play. Then bring him up for the final 4 (or vice-versa). This kid is good. Like REAL good. Mickey said it last night: Expect something to happen whenever he's on the ice. I think he deserves a shot, something good is going to happen.......

Much discussion has been had about what to do with Raymond. The last couple of days, there's been some back n forth with me and another poster (THINK is was DRW.....), who made the same assertion you did. I tend to agree: Keep him for 5, see how he does. If he's overwhelmed, send him down to regroup & get used to NA ice and play. Then bring him up for the final 4 (or vice-versa). This kid is good. Like REAL good. Mickey said it last night: Expect something to happen whenever he's on the ice. I think he deserves a shot, something good is going to happen.......
- mcmastermike1968

It’s really a nice surprise. I wrote about the excitement around Raymond over the summer. I didn’t know how much he would surprise all of us. The fans need something like this. Seider has been really good as well, this just adds a different dimension. It’s nice to have so much optimism in the room and on the bench

The last couple pre-season games are key for Raymond. If he continues to produce at his current pace, I don't think, by any measure, management could justify sending him to the AHL.

The last couple pre-season games are key for Raymond. If he continues to produce at his current pace, I don't think, by any measure, management could justify sending him to the AHL.
- todd3066

I think you’ve got a point. Love seeing a kid force a spot on the roster

He is definitely making a great case for himself to at least see a few games to start the season. On the other hand, it’s preseason. Has he been facing the oppositions top players game in, game out, shift after shift? That’s going to be the real tell tale imho.

He is definitely making a great case for himself to at least see a few games to start the season. On the other hand, it’s preseason. Has he been facing the oppositions top players game in, game out, shift after shift? That’s going to be the real tell tale imho.
- Bren4Wings

Last night was the most “real” lineup at this point, for sure. I think that’s another reason to approach it as an “in season tryout” with a few games. We open against Tampa next week Thursday. Doesn’t get much more real than that. See how that one goes

Last night was the most “real” lineup at this point, for sure. I think that’s another reason to approach it as an “in season tryout” with a few games. We open against Tampa next week Thursday. Doesn’t get much more real than that. See how that one goes
- Jeremy Laura

Agreed! A full Tampa roster will be a good gauge on ability. It won’t answer how he would deal with a full season up in the NHL, ie schedule, ice, etc. The kid is 19, and everything points to him having a bright future in the NHL. The question is timing.

Considering how the Wings got screwed in that draft, at least there is a bright light that came out of being dropped to picking 4th

Based on my observations Raymond currently reminds me of Montreal's Cole Caufield. Both players appear to have tremendous offensive gifts, but situational positioning and defensive awareness is absent. Fortunately, unlike Montreal, the Wings have an abundance of opportunity to properly develop talent. I expect Raymond's early season stay with the Wings will not exceed 9 games.

If he proves comfortable with the North American schedule, ice surface and rapidly discerns the requirements and responsibilities of a top-6 NHL forward, he will likely be ready to assume his proper role with the Wings next year. This is what I foresee. It is the responsible development arc.

This routing assumes the Wings do not exceed expectations. If he is performing well and the Wings are unexpectedly sniffing the playoffs come mid-February, Raymond will almost certainly be promoted.

I agree that LuRay (trying it out) should be handled properly, give him the 9 and if it makes more sense to send him down, then do it. But I keep hearing about his age, and that's where I don't agree with the discussion. How many 19 year olds have we seen come in to the league in the past few years and just prove they belong? They have their growing pains as expected, so why not just keep him to go through it with veterans like Larks, Berts, Leds, etc. Whats the worst that happens, we win Shane Wright??? Just looking outside the box.

If Raymond plays more than 9 games this year, he becomes an RFA after his age 21 season. If his contract slides a year, he becomes an RFA after his age 22 season. Getting an extra year of Raymond on an ELC might come in handy if the team is spending to the cap and looking like a championship contender by 2024-25. However, it also could end up costing millions in the long run if Raymond's production explodes in the final year of his post-slide ELC.

The classic cautionary tale here is Mitch Marner. Because Toronto slid his ELC, they had to re-sign him after a 94-point season instead of a 69-point season. Obviously we don't know yet what kind of career curve Raymond is going to have or whether he'll ever be an elite NHLer, but most players are better at 22 than they were at 21.

Consequently, I'm not really that worried about "burning" a year on Raymond's contract. I just want him playing at whatever level is going to be best for his development. Right now, that looks like the NHL to me, even though I certainly expect there to be some growing pains. If the team believes that Raymond has a high ceiling and won't take more than a couple of years to reach it, seems to me that it makes more sense to skip the AHL and get him to the negotiating table as soon as possible. (Even though I'd love to be able to watch him in person this year.)

If Raymond plays more than 9 games this year, he becomes an RFA after his age 21 season. If his contract slides a year, he becomes an RFA after his age 22 season. Getting an extra year of Raymond on an ELC might come in handy if the team is spending to the cap and looking like a championship contender by 2024-25. However, it also could end up costing millions in the long run if Raymond's production explodes in the final year of his post-slide ELC.

The classic cautionary tale here is Mitch Marner. Because Toronto slid his ELC, they had to re-sign him after a 94-point season instead of a 69-point season. Obviously we don't know yet what kind of career curve Raymond is going to have or whether he'll ever be an elite NHLer, but most players are better at 22 than they were at 21.

Consequently, I'm not really that worried about "burning" a year on Raymond's contract. I just want him playing at whatever level is going to be best for his development. Right now, that looks like the NHL to me, even though I certainly expect there to be some growing pains. If the team believes that Raymond has a high ceiling and won't take more than a couple of years to reach it, seems to me that it makes more sense to skip the AHL and get him to the negotiating table as soon as possible. (Even though I'd love to be able to watch him in person this year.)
- Sven22

I like Feds reasoning here: " You let Raymond burn a year so you don't have to extend both him and Shane Wright in the same year."

Who knows what Yzerman will do..... my hope is that Raymond starts on the big club and after 9 games solidifies he belongs, if not I'm sure Stevie makes the right choice..... Id be betting Tanguay is letting his voice be heard as he probably sees the powerplay options with Raymond included... I like Ryan, but I'm not behind the idea of top 6 at this point for him.....

Really there shouldn’t even be a discussion on Raymond. He’s already arguably the teams most dynamic forward. This is DY+2 so it’s not like he’s a freshly drafted child. He belongs in the NHL.

Interesting read on the the DRW NHL page regarding the roster, and Raymond. Good read, if you get the chance.

Definitely time to assess what happens. Who knows what injuries may lie ahead.....

LR's played very well, done those things that impress, continues to mature and expend his skill-set. If he stays, what's the 2d line look like considering Vrana's out, & Zadina moved to the 1st line What do we do when Vrana comes back?

I've no clue what the lines would look like IF LR stays. Throw something against the wall; if it sticks, it's art.

Think this is where someone like Tanguay becomes a valuable source of insight, but ultimately rests on Blah's shoulders. There really exists a chance for this team to ice a Forward group that will take many teams by surprise.....