- It was hugely cool of course (to debut in the NHL).

When that moment came for me, it was unbelievable, says Lucas Raymond to SVT Sport

SVT Sport meets Lucas Raymond in Little Ceasars Arena, after a training session.

The arena is located in Detroit's city center and the Red Wings share it with the NBA team Detroit Pistons.

A shopping center is included in the arena complex as well as several restaurants where people from nearby workplaces have lunch.

The Red Wings have few days like this - match leave at home - during the season.

There is a big difference compared to in the SHL.

- It's a lot about preparation and feeling ready for the next match ", says Lucas Raymond.

What are the preparations?

- The diet is a big part of being ready and that you are rested before each match, even if you drink a lot of water ", he says.

- I think it's about influencing what you yourself can influence to give yourself the best conditions and then you have to take the rest as it comes.

Everything from food, sleep and whatever it may be.

You learn what works for yourself over time.

You live alone for the first time, how do you solve the piece of food?

- To be honest, I'm not the best chef in the world, I'm not.

- My carbonara has a mixed reputation, I would say.

If you ask me, it is very good, and my mother probably also thinks it is great.

Should I choose a parade dish, it's probably it.

It's tough, he says, to get the large amount of food required to cope with the intense NHL schedule.

Here, the basic series consists of 82 matches, at home of 52.

The players of the future and the legends

Lucas Raymond was Detroit's first choice in the draft in the summer of 2020. Now the organization is in a rebuilding phase with several of the league's most exciting newcomers in the squad.

But at Detroit, the legends are also present, every day.

Like Nicklas Lidström, the new vice president of the Detroit Red Wings.

Lucas Raymond is in a unique environment where he receives invaluable feeback:

- It feels almost unreal because there are players that you have looked up to since you were little, and who are almost a little unreal.

Getting to meet them and talk to them is enormous, with the hockey knowledge they have, says Raymond.

During this morning's training, Nicklas Lidström has been sitting in the lounge for the club management in the training arena.

Large panoramic windows face the rink and the club management sees the ice at a comfortable distance from the leather armchairs.

Nicklas Lidström is impressed by Raymond:

- I think Lucas has had a fantastic season so far.

He is a rookie in the NHL, produces, plays in the first chain, plays over time in three against three and has really performed.

He deserves the ice age he has been given.

What are his strengths?

- I think he has several strengths, his riding and his eye for the game - and work ethic.

He works all the time and you can see that he moves his feet all the time.

It is very rare that he just slips, but he works all the time.

It's a combination of a lot that makes him so good.