The NHL offseason has been rife with speculation about restricted free agent Lucas Raymond and the possibility of an offer sheet. However, as the calendar turns to September, the likelihood of such a scenario seems to be waning.
The hefty price tag associated with acquiring Raymond’s services, coupled with the Red Wings’ determination to retain their young star, makes an offer sheet a less attractive proposition for rival teams.
Raymond’s High Price Tag Deters Offer Sheets, Red Wings Focus on Negotiation
The prevailing sentiment among NHL insiders is that an offer sheet for Raymond would have to be in the ballpark of $9 million per year. This would trigger significant compensation for the Red Wings, including a first, second, and third-round pick. An offer exceeding $9.2 million would further escalate the cost, requiring two first-round picks, a second-round pick, and a third-round pick. Such a steep price has likely deterred many teams from pursuing Raymond through an offer sheet.
Luke Fox of Sportsnet recently reported that the Red Wings have tabled a four-year contract offer worth $7.875 million per year to Raymond. While the two sides have yet to reach an agreement, it’s clear that the Red Wings are committed to securing Raymond’s services for the foreseeable future. The team has ample salary cap space to accommodate Raymond’s contract, and it’s now a matter of finding common ground on the term and salary.
The Red Wings’ front office has consistently expressed confidence in their ability to sign Raymond to a fair and reasonable contract. General manager Steve Yzerman has a proven track record of negotiating shrewd deals, and there’s no reason to believe he won’t do the same in this instance. While the negotiations may drag on for a bit longer, it’s highly likely that Raymond will be in a Red Wings uniform when the puck drops on the 2024-25 NHL season.
Stay Connected with the Latest Red Wings News
Find the latest Detroit Red Wings news, participate in our online hockey pool, discover what happened this day in NHL history (September 1st), and check out what channel the Red Wings game is on TV today, all on our website. Don’t forget to add nhltraderumor.com to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletter below to stay informed about all the latest NHL trade rumors and news.
