“The Red Wings are still negotiating contracts for RFAs Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond. Why is it taking so long?”
As the offseason unfolds, the Detroit Red Wings have yet to finalize contracts for their restricted free agents, Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond, who are their most crucial signings this summer. These contracts are significant as they could shape the team’s long-term salary cap structure, alongside Dylan Larkin’s contract, which runs through 2031. Securing long-term deals for Seider and Raymond is crucial as these would cover their prime earning years, making it vital for the Red Wings to get these contracts right.
Sportsnet’s Luke Fox provided updates on the ongoing negotiations. For Seider, his potential deal is being compared to Ottawa’s eight-year, $64.4 million contract with Jake Sanderson and Buffalo’s high-value offers to Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power. An eight-year extension for Seider could be imminent, potentially making him the highest-paid defenseman on the team with an average annual value (AAV) of around $8.6 million, just shy of Larkin’s $8.7 million cap hit.
A contributing factor to the delay in Seider’s deal is the rising salary cap, both this year and in the near future. Negotiating an agreement that could last up to eight years is challenging, especially when there are differing views on what constitutes a fair deal under the new cap structure.
In contrast, the Red Wings might take a different approach with Raymond, possibly opting for a mid-term deal. General Manager Steve Yzerman has shown a willingness to negotiate mid-term contracts, with Alex DeBrincat’s four-year, $7.875 million deal serving as a possible benchmark.
Raymond’s performance is expected to improve in the 2024-25 season, even with a possible regression in shooting percentage. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean a down year for him. As Max Bultman of The Athletic notes, even if Raymond’s shooting percentage drops to his rookie rate of 12.5 percent, an increased shot volume could make up for it.
Raymond has expressed his strong commitment to the team, saying, “I love this team, I love the city, and I want to be here.”
These Deals Will Get Done, But the Red Wings Aren’t Rushing Things
The Red Wings are optimistic that deals will be completed, but the length of the contracts is likely what both parties are negotiating. For Seider, a long-term agreement is the priority, whereas with Raymond, a long-term commitment is less certain.
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