Lucas Raymond

The Detroit Red Wings have a young forward who's been steadily building toward something special, and everything suggests that 2026-27 could be the season when Lucas Raymond finally breaks through as a legitimate star. The pieces are in place for a significant leap - the experience, the linemates, and the opportunity are all aligning at the right moment.

Four years after the Rangers made Alexis LaFreniere the first overall pick, the organization is ready to commit long-term to their young star with a contract extension that signals confidence in his development trajectory. The 2020 draft class - which also featured Quinton Byfield, Tim Stutzle, and Evan Bouchard - is finally reaching the point where teams must decide who's a franchise cornerstone and who's still a work in progress.

Two of Detroit's young cornerstones are making the most of their summer, rubbing shoulders with some of country music's biggest names. Lucas Raymond and Simon Edvinsson have clearly found their way into the right circles during the offseason, and their social calendar is looking a lot more glamorous than the typical player's summer routine. The Red Wings' future is out there building relationships and enjoying the fruits of their labor before training camp rolls around.

Detroit's Edvinsson and Raymond are doing what young NHL players do best during the summer - living it up and enjoying the fruits of their labor. A Luke Combs concert and some cold beers is the kind of offseason moment that builds team chemistry and reminds these guys why they grind through 82 games. It's a small glimpse into how modern NHL players balance their professional obligations with the lifestyle that comes with making it to the league.