The new contract for Lucas Raymond with the Detroit Red Wings could turn out to be a great bargain

It offers immense value while establishing an internal salary structure. Lucas Raymond , who led Detroit in scoring with 72 points last season, is poised for even greater success as he enters his prime. This contract secures a rising star and aligns with the Red Wings' approach of maintaining salary flexibility.

By keeping Lucas Raymond's AAV below Dylan Larkin's $8.7 million cap hit, Detroit has set a clear salary ceiling that benefits future negotiations, particularly with defenseman Moritz Seider. Given his team's top defenseman status, Moritz Seider is expected to command a higher salary. However, with Raymond and Alex DeBrincat signing for less than Larkin, the Red Wings can use this as leverage to potentially keep Seider's contract in the $8 million range, similar to recent deals for young defensemen like Owen Power and Jake Sanderson.

Lucas Raymond deal is a bargain compared to other contracts around the league. Players like Steven Stamkos and Tim Stutzle provide context: while Stamkos' contract reflects past achievements, Lucas Raymond's is centred on future potential. Stutzle's $8.35 million AAV underscores Lucas Raymond's value, given his similar production.

Ultimately, Lucas Raymond's contract secures a key player for the long term and strategically positions the Detroit Red Wings to manage their cap space efficiently, ensuring they can maintain a competitive roster around their core.

Source: The Hockey News
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