Detroit City Wire

The Detroit Red Wings have secured the services of forward Lucas Raymond with an eight-year contract extension. The 22-year-old player expressed satisfaction with the agreement as he enters Training Camp at Centre ICE Arena.

“Of course, you always want to get it done as quick as possible,” Raymond said on Tuesday. “But that’s the way it goes. It’s the way of the business. And like I said, just very happy we got it done.”

Raymond is coming off a career-high season in goals (31), assists (41), and points (72) over 82 games. Drafted fourth overall by Detroit in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, he has accumulated 174 points (71 goals, 103 assists) in 238 games.

Red Wings Executive Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman believes Raymond is entering his prime years.

“I fully expect him to become a better hockey player for a couple of reasons,” Yzerman stated. “He’s an extremely driven, bright player. His motivation, he’ll just continue to get better over the next few years.”

Raymond's performance late last season, where he recorded 21 points (14 goals, seven assists) in Detroit’s final 18 games, also impressed Yzerman.

“Down the stretch, he certainly took his game to another level production-wise,” Yzerman noted. “We didn’t base everything on the last 20 games, but it certainly has an impact. I felt throughout the season, he continued to get better. There was significant growth from Year 2 to Year 3.”

Throughout negotiations, Raymond emphasized the importance of contract length.

“I had great support from my side with [agents] J.P. Barry and Matt Williams, who guided me through it,” Raymond explained. “It was all new to me... From the start, I think a big thing for me was that I wanted long-term.”

With clarity and stability now secured, Raymond feels relieved.

“A lot of screen time during the summer and you spend a lot of time on the phone,” Raymond said. “So to get it done...I feel that’s a huge relief and then you can just focus on the Detroit Red Wings.”

Raymond aims to continue maturing and growing as a player.

“I felt a huge difference coming into last year,” Raymond said. “Just the way you see the game...there’s areas I want to keep taking bigger strides.”

Since debuting with Detroit in 2021, Raymond has felt welcomed by fans and takes pride in playing for Detroit.

“The last stretch of (2023-24 season) was some of the most fun hockey I’ve ever played,” Raymond said. “Just seeing the way that fans responded...It’s amazing playing in front of that...so you want to give back to that."