Red Wings surprisingly demote top line forward ahead of facing the Blues Saturday


Oct 19, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Red Wings left wing Lucas Raymond (23) celebrates a goal by center Emmitt Finnie (not pictured) in the second period against the Edmonton Oilers at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Photo credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

The Detroit Red Wings made a strange decision to demote a former top-line forward before their game against the St. Louis Blues on Saturday.

Last night at Little Caesars Arena, the lineup of the Red Wings looked a bit different.

Todd McLellan decided to shift things around and, for some odd reason, had demoted former top-line forward Lucas Raymond.

The Detroit Red Wings Demote Lucas Raymond

It seems that McLellan may be jumping the gun with a demotion so soon.

The former 1st-round pick has been a fixture on the top line with Dylan Larkin and arguably belongs there.

Appleton doesn’t have the kind of skill or offensive prowess that could be unlocked by Larkin.

It seems like one big mistake by McLellan, in my opinion.

Raymond has been an 80-point player (27-53) in the past for the Red Wings, and deploying him in the wrong spot could upset the chemistry already developed beforehand.

Previously on Red Wings Insider

POLL

13 MINUTES AGO   |   6 ANSWERS

Red Wings surprisingly demote top line forward ahead of facing the Blues Saturday

Do you believe forward Lucas Raymond of the Detroit Red Wings deserves a demotion?

REDWINGSINSIDER.COM
COPYRIGHT @2025 – ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
TERMS  –  POLICIES