Connect with us

Detroit Red Wings

What to Believe Regarding Raymond & Seider Contract Talks With Red Wings

Seider close to new deal?

Published

4 weeks ago

on

Lucas Raymond
There are published reports suggesting that the Red Wings and Lucas Raymond are far apart in contract talks.

What’s the deal with the status of new contracts for Detroit Red Wings restricted free agents Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond? Enquiring Red Wings fans want to know.

There are published reports suggesting that left-winger Raymond and the club are far apart in their negotiations for a new pact. On the other hand, Detroit Hockey Now is hearing from NHL sources familiar with contract talks that Seider and the team are getting close to an agreement on a new deal.

What to believe? There’s the rub when it comes to the Red Wings and rumors. There are so few leaks coming out of Little Caesars Arena at any time of the season that it makes you suspect GM Steve Yzerman is coating the place with industrial strength Flex Seal.

The fact of the matter is that nothing gets out about the business of the team since Yzerman took charge. He’s running the tightest ship in the league. Red Wings front office types who used to be welcoming of the media under Ken Holland’s tutelage now avoid saying much of anything on the record at all costs.

“That’s a question for Steve,” is a popular refrain from members of the club’s hockey operations staff.

The problem with that is Yzerman seldom chooses to interact with the media. And when he does, it’s always on his terms.

“We will get contracts done with them,” Yzerman said earlier this summer of his RFAs. “It’s just a question of when and what term we do on all of them.”

Red Wings Not In The Rumor Business

Stop and think about it for a moment. Since Yzerman became GM, when was the last time a rumor leaked out about Detroit that came to be true? During the last NHL Expansion Draft, the name of every team’s lost player was leaked prior to the draft save one – the Red Wings.

Could Raymond’s camp be playing hardball with the club in contract talks? Sure. In fact, they’d be foolish not to be doing so.

He’s coming off a career year, with 31 goals and a team-leading 72 points. As Detroit was battling for a playoff spot, Raymond would score 14 goals over the club’s final 18 games.

Seder made it abundantly clear from the outset that playing in Detroit was his long-term desire.

“I get both sides,” Seider said shortly after the 2023-24 season reached its conclusion. “In the end it’s a business.

“I’m confident enough to say that I think I’ll be a Red Wing for next year and that’s what matters most.”

Raymond wasn’t as certain about how he saw his future unfolding.

“I don’t know to be honest with you,” Raymond said at the same time regarding his contract status. “I think I leave that to my agent and the people around me helping me.

“As far as when a deal will get done, I don’t know. What I do know is that I love this team, I love this city and I want to be here. But as far as the other things, it’s kind of out of my control at this point.”

Related Topics: