Red Wings Player Grades: Assessing The Forwards of the Future

The future is brighter for the Detroit Red Wings as Michael Rasmussen, and Filip Zadina took massive steps forward in their development. Joe Veleno got a chance in Detroit near the end while Givani Smith built his early season successes into more ice time late in the year.

Here’s a look at how the potential forwards of the future did.

Michael Rasmussen

2021 Statline:

Goals: 3
Points: 12
CF%: 39.8%

Preseason Projections

Top Nine Forward and a presence on the power play

2021 Season in a Nutshell

Rasmussen looked more comfortable during his second call up with Detroit. He was a man among boys in Grand Rapids, scoring nearly a point per game before sticking with Detroit. The 2017 first round pick used his frame more this season and at times, looked lighter and faster on the ice. He drove the net more and was disruptive on the power play when net front.

They said it

“From a year ago, and you include the summer as part of it, he’s clearly a better skater, clearly playing with more confidence and clearly a better defensive player,” Blashill said. “He’s come one of the furthest in terms of development.”  Jeff Blashill via the Detroit News

Final Grade: C+ 

So here’s why it’s a C+: Rasmussen is a top ten pick and expectations come with it. However, the high praise from Blashill shows the work put in by Rasmussen paid off, and that reaching the potential of producing like a top ten draft pick could come to fruition down the road. Rasmussen looked more comfortable in Detroit than he ever has and something that will be echoed throughout this piece is that with more talented players around them, it will underscore the untapped talent many of the younger players have. He might not be able to carry the team himself, but Rasmussen still could turn some heads down the road.

Joe Veleno

2021 Statline: 
Goals: 1 (5 games)
CF%: 43.2%

Preseason Projections:

Take another step forward in the SHL. Possibly some time in Detroit.

2021 Season in a Nutshell

Veleno had a solid season in the SHL and put up double digit goals in a “men’s league,” proving that the scoring touch many wondered about might exist. Veleno impressed in his five games in Detroit, showing a strong two-way game and potting his first NHL goal.

They said it

“Ultimately, Joe would like to be a big piece of this organization; we’d like Joe to be a big piece of us becoming a great team, a winning team.” Jeff Blashill via Mlive.com

Final Grade: Incomplete

Veleno obviously was only up for a short sample but things look brighter as the player they hope they “stole” late in the 2018 draft has shown the speed and 200 foot game they crave. His numbers in the SHL only added to the confidence that Veleno could be that one-two punch down the middle for Detroit. The goal scoring is really the only question mark, but again, if more talent is added, Veleno’s overall game would benefit and so too, would his stats. He nearly scored his first goal off of a turnover he forced so the talent is there. Will it convert?

Givani Smith

2021 Statline:

Games: 16
Points: 4 (1-3)
CF%: 43.9%

Preseason Projections

Bottom 6 Forward in Detroit

2021 Season in a Nutshell

Smith was a curious case of trying to wrap the brain around Blashill’s moves. Smith endeared himself to Wings fans everywhere when he recorded a Gordie Howe hat trick against Florida, but his opportunities were still few and far between. Smith spent five less games up in the NHL this season, and though he played well in the AHL, it was curious to only see him get time as injuries piled up at the end of the season.

They said it

“There’s a lot there to learn. There’s a lot of raw ability, and there’s a lot I like about him. I like him number one as a person. I like him as a big, big body. He can add a physical element. I like his hands for a guy that has the package. But he’s got a lot to learn.” Jeff Blashill via the Detroit News.

Final Grade: C

There’s a lot of talk that Smith could be one of the players lost if exposed to the Expansion Draft. The compliments that Blashill gave Smith seemed to insist that the young forward is in the future plans of the organization, unlike Evgeny Svechnikov. Smith has the upside to be an Adam Erne like player–including the goal scoring touch that Erne displayed this season. He could also share comparisons with the role Tyler Bertuzzi plays–though the better numbers favor Bertuzzi.

Smith could be a great role player for the Red Wings as they add talent. Fans will have to wait and see if he’s still a Red Wing following the Expansion Draft.