The Detroit Red Wings selected Michael Rasmussen ninth overall in the 2017 NHL draft. At just 19 years old, Rasmussen has found a home in front of the net. Michael struggled early in the season, but now he is becoming more consistent.
It is becoming clear that Michael Rasmussen can become a 20-25 goal a year scorer for a Detroit Red Wings hockey team that is getting younger and more athletic. He is becoming a key player for the future of what is looking better these days.
As the Red Wings pitiful season has moved along, Michael Rasmussen is hinting there is more to come from the young talented winger. Rasmussen has learned to use his big body to his advantage which in turns gives the Wings an advantage.
The puck is also finding Michael’s stick more and more. He is getting rebound shots and scoring opportunities. It seems that after a sluggish start Rasmussen has figured things out. The game is clearly starting to slow down for him.
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The long All-Star/ bye-week found Rasmussen in Grand Rapids on a conditioning stint. He had a hamstring problem and missed a few games. After his return from the Griffins, he continued his solid play for the Red Wings.
It is safe to say this past week Michael Rasmussen played his best game yet vs. the Toronto Maple Leafs. As Michael has begun to become a thorn in front of the net, it is becoming clear that he will get to the 20 plus goal mark soon.
Rasmussen has played well on the power play and is becoming more dependable 5-on-5. That is excellent news for a Detroit team that is young and has some talented goal scorers both in Detroit and Grand Rapids.
For young players in their first or rookie season, it is vital that they gain confidence. More important is that the confidence leads to consistency, that’s when a player “arrives.”
While the young Detroit Red Wings core as a whole is looking for more consistency, it helps to have a few players that are playing at a higher level. That is contagious for young players, and that is what moves a rebuild along. It can also stall it if players need more time to develop.
This season has seen Dylan Larkin, Tyler Bertuzzi and Michael Rasmussen take significant steps forward. That bodes well for the future. These players are bringing out the best in their teammates.
It will be interesting to see the next steps taken and gained by Rasmussen and his talented teammates. In 44 games this season, Rasmussen has recorded 7 goals, 8 assists totaling 15 points. He’s a minus -2 and his CF% is below average at 46.8%.