How Important is Michael Rasmussen for the Red Wings?
By Evan Mead
How Important Will Michael Rasmussen Be to the Red Wings?
The Detroit Red Wings prospect pool is very large and therefore, a lot of names get overlooked. One of those names is foward, Michael Rasmussen.
Rasmussen was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the first-round of the 2017 NHL entry draft. Being selected ninth overall, there was a lot of hope as to the player that he could one day be.
Prior to Getting Drafted
Prior to getting drafted by the Detroit Red Wings back in 2017, Rasmussen spent multiple seasons playing in the WHL with the Tri-City Americans.
In his three seasons with the Tri-City Americans, one of which he was captain, he was able to show some very good production. In his first full season, he played in 63 games. In those 63 games, he had 18 goals and 25 assists for a total of 43 points. Not a point per game, but still a pretty productive season. The following two seasons were even better though.
In Rasmussen’s next two seasons, he played in a total of 97 games. In those 97 games, Rasmussen was able to score 63 goals as well as 51 assists for a total of 114 games. Which, in case your curious- is a point per game and that’s coming from a player who was considered a “Front net presence”. I’d say that’s pretty impressive for a guy who can’t be much more than a front net presence.
His Time With the Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings made sure to give Rasmussen a chance right away. However, it wasn’t neccessairly the best start for him. In his first 62 games with the Red Wings back in 2018-19, he only had eight goals and 10 assists for 18 total points.
Given the fact that he played in 62 games, those stats don’t really say first-round pick. Additionally, it doesn’t even really say NHL caliber player. However, if there is one thing that we’ve learned from people and teams around the league, it’s that it takes a couple years for a player to really start coming into their own. For example, you can look at players like Nico Hischier, Tage Thompson, Robert Thomas.
It takes awhile for a player to really grow in this league. I mean, Alexis Lafreniere and Quinton Byfield are prime examples. They were both supposed to be periniel all-stars and yet they are struggling to even get minutes on the ice. So we shouldn’t hate on Rasmussen especially after how he has performed recently.
How Important Will He Be Next Season?
Michael Rasmussen has always been considered a big man presence. I mean, it’s understandable right? He’s a 6’6″ forward who is physical and willing to play a little dirty.
Michael Rasmussen just went on a three-game goal streak and this is what Red Wings captain, Dylan Larkin had to say about him:
"“Pucks are starting to go in, he’s hard around the net, he’s a thron in the side of key players on the other team every night. It’s really encoraging to see the way he plays. He’s really driving the bus for us right now.” -Dylan Larkin"
Hearing that from a player like Dylan Larkin should really give Rasmussen a boost of confidence. Even though he hasn’t scored a goal in a couple games, he is still an very effective player. His size and being able to get to the net and shield the goalie and get the rebound let’s his teammates fire shots from the dot, and perimeter with confidence.
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Knowing the talent they have coming up and how they play on the offensive side of things- Rasmussen’s play style is going to be very important which makes him a key player on this team. Not to mention, he’s shown the ability to also change role’s and take an more offensive approach to things as well.