(Photo: Göteborgs-Posten)
Basic Player Overview
2019/20 Team: Frölunda HC (SHL)
Position: Left/Right Wing
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 170 lbs
Handedness: Right
Introduction
Raymond was always the youngest player in the group. In minor hockey, in international play, and of course at the men’s level. This is where he spent most of last season. He played 33 games for Frölunda, collecting 10 points. There was expected much more from him, but with the limited ice-time he had, not even 10 minutes per game, he did very well. He also participated at the World Juniors, where he played with Alexander Holtz (2020 draft eligible) and Karl Henriksson (NYR, ‘19). Here he recorded 2 goals and 4 points in 7 games.
But when we’re talking about international hockey, we have to mention his performance at the U18 World Championship. After the semifinals (6 games), Raymond scored once and added 4 more assists. Great numbers for an underage player. But what happened in the finals against Russia? The Swedes won 4-3, and Raymond scored a hattrick, including the overtime winner – and of course, it was beautiful.
Skating
There are two points of view in terms of Raymond’s skating. 1 – he’s an incredible skater, 2 – he’s an incredible straight-line skater. Raymond is a fast and really powerful skater but has had problems with his edges and changing direction. He improved himself a lot in that area this year and it was mainly due to his amazing crossovers. They are so powerful that he gains speed and cuts off from defenders because of them.
Like in this clip, it’s a perfect example of his eye-catching skating and vision as well. He skates away from a defender, uses crossovers to gain speed, then stops his movement to force an opponent to block a fake shot and passes to an uncovered teammate.
But still, his straight-line skating is his best trait. He’s very fast and he has no problem with making plays at high speed. When he has a “one-step ahead” advantage, then that’s game over for the defender. He poke-checks, picks up speed, and easily puts the puck behind the goalie.
Shot
Raymond isn’t a strapping man but he still has a really hard slapshot. He knows how to put weight behind his stick and that’s why his shot is so dangerous for goalies. But it’s not like he closes his eyes when he’s shooting, his shot is one of the most accurate I’ve ever seen. This powerful and accurate (in the clip below). It’s so useful, especially at this stage (U18 players), when he’s not trying to score off the crossbar or right into the corners and just shoots where it’s most fitting.
He’s a true goalscorer. It’s hard to write when he skates like he does, but it’s true. I love his shooting ability. He has variable releases, he’d do everything for his shot to be accurate. He puts all the weight on a stick, changes an attitude, finds an open space, and also slows down a little bit to be ready to pick up a pass. This combination between Holtz and Raymond is usually the other way round but this time was Raymond who shot. And just look at that.
He also has a terrific wrist shot, he has extremely quick hands and he uses them in terms of shooting as well. He fools goaltenders because he can change angles of his blade in the blink of an eye. The shot doesn’t have to be quick and it still finishes behind the goalie.
Vision and Hockey IQ
Raymond is incredibly smart, he knows what he’ll do three seconds later. He can read plays, avoid problems, giveaways, pointless shots, he’d rather hold the puck instead of making an extremely risky pass. I’m not saying he doesn’t risk, but he knows when he can afford it and when not. You can often see him along the boards with his head up and looking straight forward. He can see the whole zone then and that helps him a lot.
His ability to make quick plays in high-end speed is rare. His stickhandling is tremendous, he knows what to do with a puck. He can pass through the defender easily thanks to his speed and dekes.
Defensive play
This is a very interesting part of Raymond’s game. He’s a really careful winger, that’s not pretty common, especially at his age. He plays responsibly, you can rely on him when is your team down by one man, when he or someone from his team makes a mistake, he’s the guy who engages into backchecking as a first one.
A perfect example is this clip. It’s from the U20 game in Sweden, Frölunda played a power-play and Raymond was, as always, along the left-boards. He tried to do a cross-pass but it failed. This turnover ended up in a 2-on-1 counterattack. He was more than 30 feet behind the opponent but was still able to block the stick in a crucial moment.
Raymond is definitely not a strong heavy man and he has to put some muscle on to be an NHL-ready player. That’s why he doesn’t use his body in 1-on-1 situations much, he prefers to use his frame with a stick. And he does it really well. Sometimes he struggles in d-positioning, like in this clip. It’s not a big mistake but it ended up in a goal against. His teammate didn’t cover loose puck properly and Raymond didn’t decide well right after and was waiting for breakout pass that didn’t come. Luleå then scored from a point where he should had been.
Conclusion
I would like to point out one more thing. Raymond is a terrific player, especially to watch. He didn’t have a down year. There was some setback but just because he had such a limited role at the team. But this should change in the upcoming season. He should be promoted to the first power-play unit as well as to the first or second line – that includes higher ice-time. 2020 NHL Draft is scheduled for 9th October. Frölunda has 6 games prior to that date, so 6 more games of Raymond proving scouts and experts wrong, he’s not just a TOP10 pick. If he plays well, just as he can, he will crack TOP5 easily.
And one more point. Lafreniere is a clear numero uno pick. Byfield should be second. Then it’s an open game for me. If we’re talking about potential and player’s ceiling, Byfield is supposed to be at the top. Many experts and scouts are saying that he can be an even better player than Alexis Lafreniere in his prime. And you know what? I think Raymond could be also there. He can be the second-best player coming out of this draft. Just give him time.
DY Environment
Raymond spent the season in Sweden, in Frölunda where he played for two teams. He jumped into 33 games in SHL, 9 games in SuperElit (Swedish junior league). He was also given a shot at the World Juniors, ended up with a bronze medal. He also helped his team in the Champions Hockey League with 3 points in 6 games to the second straight title.
Draft Rankings
#3 — Recruit Scouting
#3 — EliteProspects
#5 — ISS Hockey
#4 — McKeen’s Hockey
#4 — Future Considerations
#4 — NHL Central Scouting (EU Skaters)
#6 — TSN/Bob McKenzie
Expected Round of Selection
Round of selection? 1st, easily. Range of selection? That’s the question. I’d say it’s 3-10. If any team can get him outside of TOP5, it’s a steal. His potential is high in the sky and shouldn’t be overlooked.
NHL Comparable and Projection
Mitch Marner
Raymond is a creative winger with an elite shooting ability. There is a theory Ottawa’s picking him and Holtz from 3rd and 5th overall selections. Then would those two play together and some people believe he can translate to the center. But he will probably stay on the wing, he can be an elite two-way winger who can produce point per game.