Negotiations between the Detroit Red Wings and restricted free agent forward Lucas Raymond are still stalled, with no agreement in sight as training camp approaches, according to top sources. On September 4, Raymond’s agent, Peter Werner, provided an update to Gunnar Nordstrom of Swedish news outlet *Expressen*, stating that there has been little progress. “At this point, there’s no offer that matches,” Werner said to Nordstrom. Raymond became a restricted free agent when his entry-level contract expired on July 1, 2024, after earning $2.78 million over the last three seasons since signing his deal in April 2021. The lack of movement leaves the Red Wings in a tricky spot, as Raymond is a key part of their future plans and someone they want to sign to a long-term deal as soon as possible.
AFP Analytics predicts Raymond will sign a contract worth about $7.1 million per year, a fair valuation given his career-high 31 goals and 72 points last season. “We are hopeful to find a solution,” Werner added. “Lucas is eager to get back on the ice.” For now, Raymond is focusing on his offseason preparation, letting his agents handle the contract.
“I leave that to my agent and those helping me,” Raymond said during his season-end interview. In the same *Expressen* article, Detroit’s vice-president of hockey operations, Nicklas Lidstrom, acknowledged that the talks involve “big money,” without providing specifics. Along with Raymond, defenseman Moritz Seider and forward Jonatan Berggren are also restricted free agents waiting for new deals from Detroit.
