The Detroit Red Wings were somewhat overlooked in the 2020 NHL Draft Lottery despite having their worst record since the Atlanta Thrashers entered the league in 1999-2000, ultimately securing the fourth overall pick. The top pick that year was widely expected to be Alexis Lafrenière, a standout from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Unfortunately for Detroit, not only did they miss out on the first overall pick, but they also had to witness the playoff-bound New York Rangers select Lafrenière, which was a tough moment for Red Wings fans.
Instead, Detroit moved to their Plan B and picked forward Lucas Raymond, who was playing in Sweden’s hockey league with Frölunda HC. In hindsight, the missed lottery luck turned out to be a blessing in disguise for the Red Wings. Raymond quickly rose to prominence and has become one of the NHL’s brightest young talents since making his debut alongside Moritz Seider in the 2021-22 season.
During his rookie year, Raymond scored 23 goals and added 34 assists. While he faced a typical “sophomore slump,” he rebounded strongly. In the late 2023-24 season, he caught fire, finishing with a career-best 31 goals and 41 assists, totaling 72 points. One of his standout moments came in the home finale against the Montreal Canadiens, where he netted two important goals to tie the game and eventually secure an overtime win, keeping Detroit’s playoff hopes alive.
In the recently concluded 2024-25 NHL season, Raymond elevated his game even further by scoring 27 goals and 53 assists, achieving a new personal best of 80 points. He now holds the title of the top scorer in the NHL under the age of 23, becoming the first Swedish player under 23 to achieve this since Nicklas Bäckström did it with the Washington Capitals in 2009-10.
Moreover, Raymond’s career total of 254 points surpasses Lafrenière’s 193 points by a significant margin, making them the two highest-scoring active NHL players under 23, followed by Ottawa Senators forward Tim Stützle. The Red Wings clearly recognized Raymond’s immense talent, signing him to an eight-year extension last offseason, indicating he is a cornerstone for Hockey Town’s future.
Fan Take: This development is huge for hockey fans because it shows that draft lottery luck isn’t everything—sometimes the best player isn’t the one picked first overall. Raymond’s rise offers hope for rebuilding teams that true talent and hard work can reshape a franchise and excite fans for years to come.
