Notebook: Raymond embracing challenges; NHL sets 2022 Draft Lottery date

After making the Opening Night Roster last October, Lucas Raymond earned a chance to be a top-line forward for the Detroit Red Wings this season.

And since then, the 20-year-old has continued embracing that opportunity.
With one week left in the regular season, Raymond ranks in the top three among NHL rookies in points (56) and goals (23) and is fourth in assists (33). He's also just one of three first-year skaters, along with Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider, to play in all 78 games.

Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill sees Raymond's confidence as a catalyst for his success.
"I think that's really helped him as he's gone through the season," Blashill said. "He's got a real competitiveness, a fairly calm demeanor and a quiet, calm confidence."
For many rookies, the grind of a first NHL season can become taxing, causing lengthy slumps for young players. But that hasn't been the case for Raymond.
"I think anytime where you felt like his game might begin to slip, he's corrected it and played really well," Blashill said. "He's never gotten himself into a funk, confidence-wise. That's real important."

As the Red Wings navigate the last four games of the season, Raymond will continue to be relied upon as a key offensive contributor, which Blashill said the rookie forward is prepared for.
"He's got a lot of belief in himself," Blashill said. "When you're a young player, there's so many hard times as you step into new challenges and he's done a good job."

2022 NHL Draft Lottery set for Tuesday, May 10

On Wednesday, the league announced the 2022 NHL Draft Lottery will be held on Tuesday, May 10, and will take place remotely with broadcast coverage beginning at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN and ESPN+.
2022 NHL Draft Lottery participants include all teams that do not qualify for the 2022 Playoffs or those who have acquired the first-round drafting positions of non-playoff teams.
Last season through the Draft Lottery, the Red Wings secured the sixth pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft and selected Swedish defenseman Simon Edvinsson with that pick. Detroit selected Raymond with the fourth overall pick in the 2020 Draft and picked Moritz Seider sixth overall in 2019.
The 2022 NHL Draft will take place at the Bell Centre, home of the Montreal Canadiens, with Round 1 coverage on July 7 and Rounds 2-7 on July 8.

Sebastian Cossa nominated for WHL Goaltender of the Year award

The Western Hockey League announced Thursday that Red Wings prospect Sebastian Cossa, of the Edmonton Oil Kings, is the Central Division nominee for the Del Wilson Memorial Trophy, awarded annually to the WHL Goaltender of the Year.
Cossa, Detroit's 15th overall pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, finished third among WHL goalies in wins (33), shutouts (6) and goals-against average (2.28) this season. The 19-year-old has a 71-16-4-3 career record in 98 games for the Oil Kings since 2019.

All individual WHL Division Award winners will also be eligible for the overall WHL Awards, which will be announced on June 1.
Cossa and the Oil Kings beat the Lethbridge Hurricanes, 4-1, on Thursday to open the first round of the 2022 WHL Playoffs, taking a 1-0 series lead in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal Series.