The tenure of Steve Yzerman as the Detroit Red Wings’ general manager continues to divide fans. Some supporters commend his long-term vision and roster development, while others are growing impatient, feeling the rebuild is taking too long.
There’s increasing talk about the 2025-26 season being a defining year for Yzerman’s regime. Despite the criticism, Yzerman’s defenders can point to a critical success that arguably defines his tenure thus far: the drafting of Lucas Raymond in 2020.
Lucas Raymond Emerging as Franchise Cornerstone and Yzerman’s Most Impactful Draft Day Decision
Yzerman’s most significant move as GM may very well be selecting Lucas Raymond fourth overall in the 2020 NHL Draft. Before Raymond’s arrival, the team lacked a clear player to build around.
Since debuting in the 2021-22 season, Raymond has quickly developed into a top-tier contributor, notching 80 points and 27 goals in the previous season. While his stats are impressive, it’s his overall impact and potential trajectory that make him stand out as the pivotal acquisition of the Yzerman era.
Steve Yzerman (NHL)Raymond might not yet be in the same league as generational superstars like Connor McDavid or Sidney Crosby, but he is approaching the caliber of elite talents such as Jack Eichel and Matthew Tkachuk.
These are players that teams can successfully build around, as demonstrated by the playoff success of the Vegas Golden Knights and Florida Panthers. Raymond fits that mold, showing signs that he can be a franchise cornerstone without having to carry the “once-in-a-generation” label.
Yzerman’s 2020 Draft Pick Proved Smarter Than Most Alternatives Chosen Around Raymond
When evaluating the 2020 NHL Draft in hindsight, Yzerman’s choice looks smarter than ever. Only Tim Stützle, drafted one pick earlier, has outperformed Raymond statistically. Meanwhile, players chosen around Raymond, like Jake Sanderson, Jamie Drysdale, and Alexander Holtz, have not reached the same level of impact.
Some have struggled with injuries or consistency, and others haven’t fully cemented their place in the league, making Raymond’s success even more noteworthy.
Had Yzerman gone with another player at fourth overall, fans might now be lamenting the missed opportunity to land Raymond. Though Marco Rossi and Cole Perfetti have emerged as capable NHLers, neither made an immediate impact the way Raymond did.
In retrospect, most of the alternatives have underperformed relative to Raymond’s success. For that reason, Yzerman’s decision stands out as a masterstroke, one that may ultimately define the success of his era in Detroit.
