The career trajectory of Detroit Red Wings forward Lucas Raymond has all of the earmarks of his turning into a true star in the NHL.
Not only did Raymond establish a new career-high 80 points during the 2024-25 NHL season, but he's also on the verge of becoming just the 10th player in Red Wings franchise history to reach the 100-goal mark before they celebrate their 24th birthday.
It was at this point last year that Red Wings fans were beginning to wonder about the delay in getting Raymond along with fellow young Detroit building block Moritz Seider signed to a new contract.
Ultimately, Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman inked both players to lengthy new contracts in mid-September, and both contracts will soon look like team-friendly bargains considering the expected impending rise in the salary cap.
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Recently, NHL Insider Dom Luszczyszyn of The Athletic included Raymond in his 2025 edition of what he believes are the 10 best contracts. Not only will Raymond's $8.1 million cap hit prove to be extremely team-friendly in the coming seasons, but a downright bargain with his production.
"His $8.1 million cap hit, an amount that will equate to a high-end second-line player during the remainder of Raymond’s deal," Luszczyszyn wrote. "It’s a mark he looks likely to blow past. Raymond is already a bona fide top-line talent and looks likely to ascend to stardom as he enters his prime. He’s on track to become a franchise winger, a legit star-level threat and his current price tag is a pittance for the kind of value he should bring."
Also included on Luszczyszyn's list were two of the best players in the NHL today in Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers and Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche. Being included with such names not only points to the immense value that Raymond brings compared to his yearly cap hit, but also to his potential of soon being included among the game's greats.
While Raymond reached a new career-high in points last season, the Red Wings as a whole took a small step backward in what was the first campaign in their last five that they didn't improve from the previous season's overall point total.
Look for Raymond to reach even higher heights in what will be the first full season of coach Todd McLellan behind the bench and continue to tap into his immense potential.
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