First-period struggles were proving to be a way of life for the Detroit Red Wings. Then Lucas Raymond scored a magical goal and instantly, karma was on the their side.

And those who call NHL games were singing the praises of Detroit’s Swedish sensation.

Not even four minutes into Saturday’s 5-4 win over the Columbus, Raymond faked that he was driving behind the Blue Jackets net with the puck in his possession. Stopping abruptly, he dramatically pulled the puck back, tucking it between the post and Columbus goalie Spencer Martin before Martin could react and get his skate up against the post.

Lucas Raymond, that's just cheeky.

: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ https://t.co/sEijvXhbA1 pic.twitter.com/EzEwnlRZLL

— NHL (@NHL) November 11, 2023

Following Raymond’s act of deception and trickery, Detroit would be scoring multiple goals in the first period for the first time in 10 games.

Meanwhile, NHL pundits were running short on adjectives to describe the spectacular nature of Raymond’s tally. They were comparing his skills of deception with the puck to that Swedish legend of legends, Peter Forsberg.

“He caresses it. I don’t know how he does it and neither does Spencer Martin,” assessed commentator said Viaplay’s commentator Jonatan Lindquist on European streaming service Viaplay, reported Gunnar Nordstrom on the Swedish website Expressen.se. “Lucas Raymond, ice cold, he gives Detroit the lead. A small Peter Forsberg goal.”

Added game analyst and former NHL forward Jacob Josefson:”Incredibly quirky. Quick as a weasel, he turns back and finds a gap. Extremely well done and resourceful.”

Red Wings Lalonde Likes How Raymond Is Measuring Up

With 5-6-11 totals, Raymond is third among the Red Wings in scoring. As he’s heading home to Sweden for the NHL Global Series, Detroit coach Derek Lalonde is appreciative at how the bulked-up Raymond is measuring up in NHL competition this season.

“I think that comes with that strength,” Lalonde said of Raymond’s solid start this season. “Raymond obviously is not 6-foot-4, 225 pounds. But you even noticed in the Islanders game (4-3 OT win), the push we made in the third, he was the one that won just a couple more battles in the O-zone that kept plays alive.

Lucas Raymond’s 45th career goal was the first of two @DetroitRedWings goals in a span of 45 seconds to start the action Saturday.#NHLStats: https://t.co/JNTkC7vKkD pic.twitter.com/kfixRkztse

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) November 11, 2023

“He keeps adding a couple of those a game I think it turns his whole game around.”

As for Raymond’s cheeky tally against Columbus, perhaps it can be all explained once you realize who his hockey hero was as a child.

“Maybe (former Red Wings star Pavel) Datsyuk,” Raymond said. “I remember watching him a lot. It was amazing to watch.”

The post NHL Pundits Raving About Goal by Red Wings Raymond appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Hall of Famer Peter Forsberg is in favor of seeing sweeping changes to the format of the World Junior tournament. Forsberg is vice chairman of the Swedish Hockey Association.

Pointing to the absence of key players from the Swedish team, including Detroit Red Wings forward Lucas Raymond, Forsberg told Gunnar Nordstrom of Expressen.se that he would prefer seeing more cooperation from NHL teams when it comes to stocking World Junior rosters.

#WaybackWednesday Mats Sundin, Peter Forsberg, Daniel Alfredsson and Nicklas Lidstrom representing Team World at the 1998 NHL Allstar Game in Vancouver @MapleLeafs @Avalanche @Senators @DetroitRedWings

(John Giamundo) pic.twitter.com/1rsEduyOP4

— Vintage Hockey Showcase (@hockey_vintage) August 25, 2022

“I want the NHL to release the best junior players,” Forsberg told Nordstrom. “It would be good for world junior hockey and would raise the status of the tournament even more,”

While Forsberg’s cause is noble, the fact of the matter is that it would’ve been serving no purpose in Raymond’s development to play earlier this month in Edmonton. He’s already spent an entire season playing on an NHL team’s top forward line.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

• In pursuit of a new contract, former Red Wings forward Evgeny Svechnikov is switching agents
• Three-time Red Wings Stanley Cup winner Igor Larionov is coaching in the KHL
• Could 2022 Red Wings draft pick Anton Johansson prove to be a sleeper pick?

Hockey Now Network

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Boston: Bruins coach Jim Montgomery is already mapping out his forward lines for next season. Boston Bruins

Islanders: New York GM Lou Lamoriello believes that the Islanders have the players to compliment Mat Barzal. New York Islanders

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Washington: Could the next World Cup of Hockey be held without Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin and the Russian team? Washington Capitals

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Vegas: New signing Phil Kessel is ready to accept another number and doesn’t want Jonathan Marchessault to surrender No. 81 to him. Vegas Golden Knights

San Jose: Former Sharks director of amateur scouting Doug Wilson Jr. is joining the scouting staff of the Seattle Kraken. San Jose Sharks

Vancouver: Vancouver Hockey Now’s Rob Simpson thinks the Canucks should stack the middle of the ice this season. Vancouver Canucks

Calgary: Might the Flames be looking at UFA center Evan Rodrigues? Calgary Flames

Montreal: The Canadiens and Kirby Dach are making progress in contract talks. Montreal Canadiens

The post The Daily: Hall of Famer Forsberg Wants Revamping of World Junior Format appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.