No, Michael Rasmussen's not a star, but he's one of those players the Detroit Red Wings count on to win games and that role won't change in 2025-26. As a player, he's good for 20-30 points a season, and nothing more, but he's also that guy who can put up solid performances regardless of the role the coaching staff asks him to play.
When the Wings need him in the face-off circle, he's in the face-off circle, when they need him on the man advantage, he steps up and puts forth the effort. Ditto for when they need him on the penalty kill.
It's why Rasmussen, even as a lower-liner is one player whose jersey I'd wear as opposed to guys like Moritz Seider and Dylan Larkin. Best yet, he's fine with taking more starts in the defensive zone, and letting the top scorers do the heavy lifting once the puck's across the blue line.
This season, I'm expecting nothing less, and he could even evolve his game regardless if whether the numbers reflect it on the stat sheet.
Michael Rasmussen can quietly play an important role for the Detroit Red Wings
Last season saw Rasmussen's ice time dip to 13:25 per game, the second-lowest of his career. Still, he pitched in with 141 hits, showing us that he's fine with heading into more of a high-energy role this team's lacked for a while now.
And no, his numbers last year weren't good regardless of how you look at them, and I won't pretend otherwise. But I will say this: He's looked good in the past, with on-ice shooting percentages in the double digits at even strength, and on-ice save percentage in the 90s while short-handed. For the Red Wings, that's huge, and if Rasmussen can contribute like that again on the PK, maybe it'll fare better this year.
So, what's his role ultimately looking like for 2025-26? I like him on the fourth line, with between 11 and 12 minutes of average total ice time. Give him more of a physical edge, and let him keep playing that 'utility' role.
Should the Wings struggle with injuries on their third line for any reason, Rasmussen could also slide up and play a few extra minutes per contest as a 'fill-in/stopgap,' and with his brewing experience, he should be someone who could play that extended ice time in a pinch. And that's beats bringing up organizational depth, unless it's a high-end prospect.