Lucas Raymond secures NHL "Rookie of the Month" award for November

DETROIT --The sample size is large enough now. The future of the Detroit Red Wings is right in front of our eyes.
Red Wings standout rookie winger Lucas Raymond was named the NHL's "Rookie of the Month" for November on Wednesday, repeating the same honor his teammate, Moritz Seider, earned in October's opening month of the season.
Raymond and Seider became the first duo to capture back-to-back NHL Rookie of the Month plaudits since Toronto's Auston Matthews and Mitchell Marner in December 2016 and January 2017. Raymond edged Detroit goalie Alex Nedeljkovic for November's honor one month after Seider narrowly earned the award over Raymond in October.

Raymond tallied five goals, seven assists and 12 points in 14 games played in November. He tallied points in nine games, including three separate three-game point streaks, and earned an average of 17:34 in ice time throughout the month.
The 19-year-old Swedish native registered his first career three-assist performance on Nov. 6 at Buffalo and scored his first career overtime goal last Saturday (Nov. 27) against the Sabres at Little Caesars Arena. He became the second teenager in franchise history to accomplish the latter feat, joining current Executive Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman on Oct. 26, 1983, also against Buffalo.

Raymond making the Opening Night roster was never a forgone conclusion. In fact, most assumed he would begin the season with the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins. But a standout NHL Prospect Tournament and training camp in Traverse City, and the preseason showed he belonged. Raymond hasn't looked back since making his debut against Tampa Bay on Oct. 14 at Little Caesars Arena.
"He's getting a hell of an opportunity," Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill said on Oct. 24 after Raymond scored his first career hat trick and added an assist in a 6-3 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. "He's in the NHL at a young age, which not a lot of guys get a chance to do, and he's playing with real good players on a real good line and getting important minutes. I think, obviously, he's capitalized on that."
On the season, Raymond continues to lead all NHL rookies with 21 points and nine goals. He is currently tied with Seider for first among all rookies with 12 assists.

"There's a reason why he got drafted that high," Seider said on Nov. 6 after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime at Buffalo, a game in which Raymond also tallied three points. "I think he's shown what he's got. I think we know what his abilities are in the locker room.
"Obviously he's just doing his job, but he's doing it phenomenally. It's just been a pleasure having him around, and it's really fun working with him every single day."