Red Wings Pick Raymond Not Part Of Swedish World Junior Showcase Squad

There will be two Detroit Red Wing prospects playing for Sweden at the World Junior Summer Showcase from July 18-August 2 in Plymouth, Michigan.

Two other players who are possible selections by the Wings with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2021 NHL entry draft are also part of the Swedish club.

Perhaps the most interesting development with the roster of the squad is who isn’t part of it – left-winger Lucas Raymond, selected fourth overall by the Red Wings in the 2019 NHL entry draft. Raymond underwent elbow surgery in late February to remove bone fragments. Expecations were that he’d miss eight weeks and Raymond ended up sitting out the remainder of the SHL season.

Förbundskapten Tomas Montén har tagit ut Juniorkronorna/Team 20 trupp till 2021 World Junior Summer Showcase som spelas i Plymouth, USA med matcher mot Finland, USA Blå och USA Vit. https://t.co/9OmUOztaAU #Juniorkronorna pic.twitter.com/vLSxDKeLc4

— Tre Kronor (@Trekronorse) June 16, 2021

Raymond, 19, finished the 2020-21 campaign for Frolunda with 6-12-18 numbers in 34 games. He siged a three-year entry-level contract with the Red Wings in April and is expected to play in North American next season.

Wallinder, Niederbach Selected

The two players selected by Detroit following Raymond in the 2020 entry draft will be part of the Swedish team. That would be defenseman William Wallinder (32nd) and right-winger Theodor Niederbach (51st).

Lucas Raymond injury update.
Frölunda starts their quarterfinal series against Rögle with back-to-back games, Saturday and Sunday. pic.twitter.com/8uNAThWNo2

— IcehockeyGifs (@IcehockeyG) April 8, 2021

Niederbach and Raymond were among five Red Wings prospects who played for Sweden at the 2021 World Juniors. Defenseman Albert Johansson (60th, 2019) and Gustav Berglund (177th , 2019) and left-winger Elmer Soderblom (159th, 2019) were also part of the squad. Wallinder and left-winger Albin Grewe (66th, 2019) were also Swedish team selections. However, postive tests for COVID-19 led to the dropping of both just prior to the tourney.

There’s a chance that another Red Wings prospect could end up with the Swedish team in Plymouth. Detroit picks sixth overall in the first round of the 2021 NHL entry draft on July 23. Both Djurgårdens center/left-winger William Eklund and Luleå goaltender Jesper Wallstedt are suggestions as potential picks in that slot.