Report: Lucas Raymond Talks Have "Gained Traction" With Red Wings

Earlier this week, we heard two conflicting reports on the Lucas Raymond talks with the Detroit Red Wings. One had a long-term deal being discussed, but the other suggested that a shorter-term pact was in order.

If NHL insider David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period is casting the deciding vote, then it looks like the long-term option may be winning out.

They aren’t there yet, but they are talking a lot and trying to hammer away and get this done. The focus is still on long-term, and talks have gained traction, but they’re still grinding away at it.

This is something that will ease Red Wings' fans' nerves, as both Raymond and defenseman Moritz Seider remain two huge RFA pieces (of three) that GM Steve Yzerman still needs to take care of.

Pagnotta added that the talks have picked up in the last 10 days or so, and with only about two weeks left until training camp, time is of the essence. The goal remains having a deal finalized before the puck drops on the Wings' camp.

The 22-year-old Raymond had a breakout season in 2023-24, recording 31 goals and 41 assists for 72 points while playing all 82 games for the second time in three seasons since they made him the 4th overall selection in the 2020 NHL Draft.

The insider added that talks are also ongoing with Seider as well as the other RFA, Jonatan Berggren.

Yzerman has a total of $17.6 million in cap space to work with, and needs to juggle it to satisfy all three.