The Detroit Red Wings are gearing up to dive back into the NHL action following the Olympic break. With only four of their players making the trip to Milan, Italy, for the Winter Games, the focus is now shifting back to the grind of the regular season. Defenseman Moritz Seider and forward Lucas Raymond, who represented Germany and Sweden respectively, are heading home after their Olympic journeys ended.
Seider and Germany had a promising start but fell short in the semifinals, losing 6-2 to Slovakia. Meanwhile, Raymond and Sweden faced a nail-biting 2-1 overtime defeat against the United States, ending their medal hopes. Both players are now set to return to Detroit, where the Red Wings are eager to integrate them back into the lineup.
Head coach Todd McLellan has wisely decided to give Seider and Raymond a brief respite. “I spoke to them, they need some time, both physically and emotionally,” McLellan shared.
“It’s a toll over there, so we want them refreshed and recovered. They'll get back over the weekend, and we'll integrate them into practice.”
Seider was part of a German squad that many considered a dark horse for gold, but after a single group play victory and a decisive loss to Slovakia, their campaign concluded earlier than hoped. Raymond, on the other hand, shone brightly for Sweden, accumulating eight points in four games and showcasing his playmaking prowess with a crucial assist to force overtime against Team USA.
As the Red Wings pivot back to NHL play, they’re eyeing a playoff berth for the first time in a decade. Currently sitting at 33-19-6 with 72 points, Detroit is tied for second in the Atlantic Division alongside the Montreal Canadiens. With 24 games left, every win is crucial to solidifying their postseason spot.
Fans can expect Seider and Raymond to rejoin practice sometime next week, just in time for the Red Wings’ matchup against the Ottawa Senators on February 26. The final stretch promises to be an exciting chapter for a team hungry to return to playoff glory.