Breaking: Red Wings, Raymond Agree to Max-Term Extension

Putting an end to an offseason of anxiety for Red Wing fans (or at least cutting it in half), Lucas Raymond has agreed to terms on a new contract to remain a Red Wing for the next eight seasons, a maximum-term deal, which will earn him an annual cap hit of $8,075,000.  Now, all that's left for GM Steve Yzerman is to push his negotiation with Moritz Seider across the finish line to make certain his other young star is ready for training camp, which is set to begin Thursday.

From a Red Wings' perspective, it's just about an ideal contract.  They secure the 22-year-old's services for what promises to be the full extent of his prime.  If he can keep up last year's production (a career-high 72 points), it will be a solid value for Detroit.  If he can push much beyond that, it could very well look like a bargain.  Meanwhile, as nearly all NHL players tend to do, Raymond opted for the security of a long-term contract over the potential for multiple massive pay days a shorter extension might have invited.

Again, the weight isn't entirely off of Yzerman's shoulders yet.  He needs to get Seider's contract done to achieve that relief.  However, we always knew these two contracts would be the most important business of the summer, and Yzerman deserves top marks for what looks like an ideal outcome to the Raymond negotiations.  If he can replicate that with Seider, the offseason's uncertainty will be forgotten before the preseason begins.

What we know for certain now is that Yzerman has locked up one of the pillars of his new Detroit Red Wings, the sort of player who will have to take charge if Yzerman's reign as manager is to match the success of his playing days.  If the second half of last season is any indicator, Raymond is ready for that challenge.

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