Red Wings Wrap-Up: Raymond bursts onto scene in 2021-22

After the Detroit Red Wings selected Lucas Raymond fourth overall in the 2020 NHL Draft, the Swedish forward immediately faced the burden of expectation that comes with being a first-round draft pick.

But Raymond proved he could handle the pressure by putting together an impressive rookie campaign in 2021-22.
"There's a reason why he got drafted that high," Calder Memorial Trophy finalist Moritz Seider said of his Red Wings teammate on Nov. 6. "I think he's shown what he's got. I think we know what his abilities are in the locker room."
Raymond finished third among first-year skaters in points (57), fourth in assists (34), tied for second in goals (23) and was one of only three rookies, along with Seider and New Jersey Devils forward Dawson Mercer, to play all 82 games this season.
"It was a really fun first season," Raymond said in his end-of-season media session. "Of course, the results weren't what we wanted but for me, personally, I really enjoyed it."

Raymond said he arrived at training camp in Traverse City with the sole mission of cracking Detroit's Opening Night roster. He quickly established himself, becoming the first teenager to play for Detroit, the first to make the Opening Night roster and the first to play on Opening Night since current Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin in 2015-16.
"Even from Day 1, whether he was playing in Grand Rapids or he was playing on our team, it didn't really matter to him," Larkin said on Oct. 26. "He wanted to play in North America. He wanted to play pro hockey. I think he really believed in himself and believed whether it was this year or next year, 10 games, two months, whatever it was, he's gonna have an impact on this team."
Raymond's scoring abilities were apparent early. With his first career hat trick in his sixth NHL game on Oct. 24 at Chicago, Raymond became the second teenager in franchise history to accomplish the feat, joining Steve Yzerman, who tallied a pair of hat tricks during his teenage years (Dec. 23, 1983 and March 30, 1985).

"I'm trying to play every game and play as good as I can," Raymond said after the Oct. 24 win. "And try to help the team win in the way that I can."
Raymond's play was a big part of Detroit's initial success in 2021-22. After Seider was named the NHL's Rookie of the Month over Raymond in October, Raymond picked up the honor the following month by collecting 12 points (5-7-12) in a 14-game stretch.
It was the first time a member of the Red Wings won the award in consecutive months since Nicklas Lidstrom did so from Nov. - Dec. 1991.
"I don't think too much," Raymond said on Dec. 1. "Just trying to go out there and play. I'm an offensive forward and I take responsibility in the offensive game."
Raymond assumed significant responsibility this season, playing on the top line alongside experienced teammates like Larkin and Tyler Bertuzzi. Raymond quickly showed he belonged in the NHL.
"We had a great team that made it really easy to come in and be welcomed very quick," Raymond said. "That helped me out a lot."

As Raymond navigated the grind of his first NHL season, consistency became a major focus.
"Just try to develop every practice, go out there and try to develop to become a better player," Raymond said on April 2. "I think if you look too far ahead, it's easy to get caught in that. I just stay game-by-game, shift-by-shift and try to work on the small details and do the right thing."
According to Raymond, that awareness will guide him during the 2022-23 season.
"It's more mental than it is physical to try to really be there every game and be on it," he said. "It was for sure a great first season for me to get into that and know what's coming next season."