With Larkin and Edvinsson both wanting out, Detroit may have no choice but to embrace a full rebuild \u2014 and Lucas Raymond could be the next piece to fall.<\/p>\n
Why Detroit Would Trade Raymond<\/p>\n
Lucas Raymond is the kind of name that instantly shakes up the league. A right\u2011shot winger, 24 years old, already producing like a star: 76, 80, and 72 points in his last three seasons. He\u2019s locked in for six more years at a very team\u2011friendly $8.075M AAV \u2014 a bargain in today\u2019s exploding contract landscape.<\/p>\n
Detroit doesn\u2019t want to trade him. But they might be forced into it.<\/p>\n
The Edvinsson situation hasn\u2019t sat well with the Swedish players, and Raymond is reportedly frustrated with management and the overall direction of the team. With the captain and the top left\u2011shot defender both asking out, Raymond may not want to stick around for whatever this becomes.<\/p>\n
Trading him now keeps his value at its peak and accelerates a rebuild that suddenly feels unavoidable.<\/p>\n
Why The Oilers Make Sense<\/p>\n
Edmonton is exactly the type of team that should be all over this.<\/p>\n
They need another legitimate top\u2011six scoring threat. Their early\u2011season injuries have exposed their lack of right\u2011wing depth, and their core isn\u2019t getting younger. Zach Hyman and Ryan Nugent\u2011Hopkins will eventually age out of top\u2011six roles, and the Oilers need long\u2011term replacements who can grow with McDavid and Draisaitl.<\/p>\n
Raymond fits perfectly.<\/p>\n
The Oilers have movable assets, future picks, and the cap flexibility (once healthy) to absorb Raymond\u2019s deal. Detroit would gladly take picks in years where Connor McDavid might not be in Edmonton \u2014 those could be premium assets.<\/p>\n
Raymond would instantly stabilize the right side, allowing Draisaitl to return to centre full\u2011time and giving Edmonton a top\u2011six that finally looks complete.<\/p>\n
The Offer<\/p>\n
Red Wings Receive:<\/p>\n
Isaac Howard<\/p>\n
Spencer Stastney<\/p>\n
Trent Frederic<\/p>\n
2028 1st round pick<\/p>\n
2029 1st round pick<\/p>\n
2027 2nd round pick<\/p>\n
Oilers Receive:<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Lucas-Raymond-Red-Wings-Oilers.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Who Says No?<\/p>\n
Detroit gets a strong future package: a second\u2011round pick in the upcoming draft, followed by first\u2011rounders in 2028 and 2029. If McDavid leaves before 2029, that pick becomes extremely valuable.<\/p>\n
Isaac Howard is the centerpiece. A former first\u2011rounder coming off an AHL All\u2011Star rookie season, he looks ready to explode at the NHL level. In Detroit, he\u2019d get top\u2011six minutes immediately.<\/p>\n
Trent Frederic adds reliable depth and is signed to a reasonable deal. He\u2019s been one of Edmonton\u2019s best depth forwards this season. Spencer Stastney gives Detroit another young defender \u2014 important if Edvinsson is moved.<\/p>\n
For Edmonton, the payoff is massive. They get a bona fide top\u2011line right winger in his prime. Raymond could play with McDavid or Draisaitl and help solidify a top\u2011six built around Matt Savoie, Hyman, and Vasily Podkolzin. His arrival pushes Nugent\u2011Hopkins down the lineup and onto PP2, giving Edmonton more firepower throughout the roster.<\/p>\n
Detroit might ask for Matt Savoie instead of one of the picks. Edmonton would listen \u2014 but the draft capital would change.<\/p>\n
Comparable Deals<\/p>\n
The closest comparable is Brady Tkachuk\u2019s blockbuster to Florida: three firsts and a second. Tkachuk scores less than Raymond but brings a physical edge teams covet. He\u2019s also three years older. Both players are signed to team\u2011friendly deals at nearly identical money.<\/p>\n
Edmonton\u2019s offer is essentially three firsts, a second, and two roster players who help Detroit now and later. It\u2019s a big package \u2014 but other teams would absolutely be in the mix if Raymond hits the market.<\/p>\n
Mason McTavish went for two firsts at the last draft. He\u2019s younger and cheaper, but he doesn\u2019t produce like Raymond. The extra value here makes sense.<\/p>\n
Why It Works For Both Teams<\/p>\n
Detroit gets futures, a young NHL\u2011ready scorer in Howard, and depth pieces to stabilize the roster. They move Raymond before a potential trade request and before any no\u2011trade clauses kick in. It\u2019s a clean pivot into a rebuild that aligns with everything else happening: Larkin out, Edvinsson out, and a new GM structure.<\/p>\n
Edmonton extends their window and adds a young star who helps keep McDavid in Edmonton. It\u2019s an all\u2011in move, but one that helps immediately and long\u2011term. Stan Bowman has shown he can find talent outside the draft \u2014 the Oilers would need to keep doing that.<\/p>\n
Both teams get exactly what they need. Edmonton pushes for a Cup. Detroit resets with a massive haul.<\/p>\n
The deal works \u2014 and it might be the move that finally forces Detroit to make real changes.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/NHLTradeTalkweblogo4.png\"\/)
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