Raymond Off Swedes WJC Summer Roster Because He Could Be In The NHL Next Season

Detroit Red Wings prospect Lucas Raymond wasn’t left off Sweden’s summer U-20 roster because he was coming off surgery. He didn’t get a spot because the Swedes believe he could be in the NHL.

“Both Raymond and (New Jersey Devils prospect) Alexander Holtz have already played two WJC and are going to NHL training camps in the fall,” said a source familiar with the Swedish team. “We don’t know if they will be available for the WJC in Red Deer in December, so we don’t bring them along on this camp.”

The Red Wings will still have two prospects – defenseman William Wallinder and right wing Theodor Niederbach – playing for Sweden at the World Junior Summer Showcase from July 18-August 2 at the USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Michigan.

The Red Wings plan to give Raymond, selected fourth overall in the 2020 NHL, an opportunity in training camp, but he has no guarantee of a spot. He is 19, and coming off a February elbow surgery to remove bone fragments. Raymond has the potential to be a gamebreaker. He is a slick skater and has relentless pursuit of the puck. This past season, averaging less minutes than veterans, he scored six goals and posted 18 points in 34 games. He had five points in five games at last season’s WJC.