Red Wings' Lucas Raymond looking forward to debut

The Detroit Red Wings drafted Swedish forward Lucas Raymond with the 4th overall selection in the 2020 Draft last year, and they're banking on him eventually being a major part of their future. 

Fans will be able to catch a glimpse of him tonight when the Red Wings take on the Buffalo Sabres in their second pre-season game. And needless to say, he's looking forward to it. 

“It’ll be a lot of fun playing here,” Raymond said after the morning skate. “It’s something I dreamt of since I was drafted. To finally be here, to be able to play tonight will be an incredible feeling.

“Of course, there’s always nerves the first game of the season. Just trying to treat it like every game and be calm. To be in this arena in a Red Wings jersey is really special.”

Raymond will be skating with Pius Suter and Robby Fabbri tonight. And according to head Coach Jeff Blashill, he needs the puck a lot in order to enjoy success.

"He’s a really smart player, he’s good with the puck, he can make a lot of plays,” Blashill said. “He’s got to make sure he has the puck a lot. How do you have the puck a lot? Either you get in the right spots, or you work to get open or you work to get it. And you play good defense to make sure you’re not defending all night. That’s how you end up with the puck.

“I think he’s an accountable player defensively. If he goes through the whole night and he touches the puck two times, he’s not going to be real effective. If he’s got the puck on his stick all night, we’re all going to walk out of the building saying, ‘Man, he was good.’ "