Lucas Raymond is making it awfully hard for the Detroit Red Wings not to have him on their opening roster.
He has used three exhibition games to lead the team in scoring, with two goals and four assists. He looks dangerous when he has the puck, poised to make something good happen with it. That he’s only 19 and this is his first time playing on North American hockey sheets is hard to tell.
“I try to be as confident as I can holding the puck,” Raymond said after recording a goal and an assist Monday. “That’s a big part of my game, being responsible with it and reading when it’s right to do certain things. I think that’s something I work on every day, every practice, and try to bring to every game.
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“It feels like I’m starting to get into my rhythm and I’m feeling good out there. It feels like I’m getting the pace and the feel of the game. I feel good.”
The Wings have three exhibition games left. They open the season Oct. 14 against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
“I just try to play my best, focus on my game, and control the things I can control,” Raymond said. “It’s up to the staff to decide, but I am just trying to make as much impact as I can and play as good as I can. Try to do the things I can and have control over.”
The Wings drafted Raymond at No. 4 in 2020. He stayed in his native Sweden last season, recording 18 points in 34 games with Djurgarden before being sidelined by an injury late in the season. He began camp tentatively expected to start the season in the AHL (and that could still be the case) but he’s used every opportunity to show he belongs in the NHL.
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“He’s played good in the games he’s played so far and that’s all he can do, is take the challenges he has ahead of him and play good hockey,” coach Jeff Blashill said. “He has a mature game for a young guy. He’s obviously got talent. Let’s keep evaluating.”
Raymond has a team-leading six points. He’s been put in a position to succeed, playing either with Dylan Larkin and Filip Zadina, or Robby Fabbri and Pius Suter. Raymond has been a fit on the power play, and penalty kill, and has been on the ice in the last minute of games. The benefit of exhibition season is that young players can be given such responsibility without risk, but Raymond has earned the precious minutes.
“The fact he understands — like, some guys are flashy and talented and don’t play efficient hockey, meaning create more than they give up,” Blashill said. “I think he takes what’s given and ultimately when you take what’s given, you’re creating without giving up a whole bunch. He’s done a good job of that.”
It only makes sense for the Wings to keep Raymond if there’s a spot for him in the top six. Bobby Ryan, invited to camp on a tryout, deserves a contract, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for Raymond. The Wings are without Jakub Vrana, who was slotted to play on a line with Larkin and Tyler Bertuzzi, for at least four months because of a shoulder injury.
Raymond has blended in seamlessly in exhibition season, seemingly earned a spot. He’s vulnerable because he can be assigned to the Grand Rapids Griffins without waivers, but even if that happens, Raymond is making a case that he won’t be there long.
“My mindset was to do whatever I can to make the team,” he said. “I feel really comfortable with timing and speed. It feels like my tempo is there and my head as well. I feel good.”
Contact Helene St. James at hstjames@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @helenestjames. Read more on the Detroit Red Wings and sign up for our Red Wings newsletter. Her book, The Big 50: The Detroit Red Wings is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Triumph Books. Personalized copies available via her e-mail.