Detroit Red Wings forward Lucas Raymond suited up for Sweden in last year’s IIHF World Championship. When Germany calls for its best hockey players, Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider has proven to be an ever present.
As much as both players would dearly love to be representing their nations next month at the worlds in Prague, the reality of the business of hockey is almost certainly going to keep them away from the ice.
Both players are restricted free agents who must negotiate new contracts with Detroit prior to the start of the 2024-25 NHL season. That being the case, it would be foolhardy for Seider or Raymond to step on to the ice without some form of protection.
“If we sort out some insurance things and some policies I think I would be more than happy to play,” Seider said. “If that’s not the case, I think you gotta be smart and have some responsibility, not risk anything.”
Likewise, Raymond can’t picture himself donning the three crowns of his native Sweden without the protection of additional insurance.
“It’s a tough situation with not having a contract for next year and the insurance and stuff that comes with that,” Raymond said.
Insuring Red Wings Would Prove Costly To National Teams
Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman has made his position on this issue clear. He’d love to see Seider and Raymond on the ice playing in the world touryney
“Sure,” Yzerman said. “I played in them, I’ve been a part of them in management. I think they’re great opportunities for guys, great experiences.
“To play international hockey is a lot of fun. To get a chance to win a gold medal is very exciting. So yeah, I would support it fully for any of our players if they want to go.”
That being the case, the cost of insuring players against injury who are in line for multi-million dollar deals is prohibitive. Most national team programs can’t afford to ante up for such policies. It’s why Vancouver Canucks star Elias Pettersson was unable to play for Sweden in last year’s worlds.
Raymond and Seider find themselves embroiled in a similar scenario this spring.
“I want to keep playing,” Raymond said. “I don’t feel like I’m done playing for this year but obviously there’s other factors that play into it.”
A year ago, Seider was helping Germany to a silver medal as a mainstay on the German defense. As much as it will pain him to sit out this year’s event, the bottom line is he must look out for his own interests first and foremost.
“Obviously, there is a lot of involvement on both sides for that tournament,” Seider said. “The last thing you want to do is go out of that injured when you don’t have a contract for next year.
“If we sort things out, I think I will be more than happy to play for Germany for sure.”
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