Lucas Raymond talks about the negotiation process for his contract and that explains a lot

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William Austin
September 17, 2024 (4:17 PM)

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Lucas Raymond has secured his long-term future with the Detroit Red Wings, signing an eight-year, $64.6 million contract just days before the team's training camp.

The 22-year-old winger, now entering his fourth professional season, expressed excitement and relief after finalizing the deal.

"I'm happy we got it done before training camp," Raymond said.

"I've been pretty vocal about how much I like Detroit, the city, the team, and the direction we're heading."

For Lucas Raymond, this contract is a financial commitment and a statement about his belief in the Red Wings' future.

Despite the negotiation process dragging into the summer, Raymond managed to stay focused on his training. He spent part of the offseason in Germany, working alongside teammate Moritz Seider and coaches from Adler Mannheim while also honing his skills with personal coach Andreas Larsson. This approach allowed Raymond to maintain his performance level without being distracted by contract talks.

"It was a little bit different, for sure," he admitted, mentioning the uncertainty of when the deal would be finalized. "But it feels like we came up with a good plan to treat it as a regular summer."

Raymond's agents, J.P. Barry and Matt Williams played a significant role in securing the long-term contract and handling the intricate details so Raymond could focus on his development. Barry is known for landing top deals for his clients, and Raymond credits their expertise for smoothing the process. General Manager Steve Yzerman expressed confidence that Raymond will grow into the deal, stating:

"There's an expectation that the player will take his game to another level, and I'm very confident that Lucas will do that."

With this contract, Raymond is set to remain a Red Wing through the majority of his prime years, contributing to the team's rebuilding process and future success.

As seen on The Hockey News
"It was All New to Me": Lucas Raymond Discusses Contract Negotiations After Signing 8-Year Deal