Detroit Red Wings: Top 10 prospects entering 2018
2. Michael Rasmussen, C [19] (1-9, 2017)
Stats (Tri-City Americans, WHL): 47 gp, 31 g, 28 a, 59 p, 17 PPG (7 A), 3 GWG, 150 SOG, 52.3 FO%, 1.26 pts/g (14 pgp, 16 g, 17 a, 33 p, 7 PPG (3 A), 3 GWG, 55 SOG, 73.2 FO%, 2.36 pts/g).
Michael Rasmussen was drafted ninth overall during the official end of the Detroit Red Wings’ 25-year playoff run. He was the first top 10 draft pick for the Red Wings since 1991. There’s a lot of pressure on him for that reason, but so far, despite an injury during his first post-draft season, he’s lived up to the hype. In one of the best Canadian junior leagues, Rasmussen was tied for 23rd in points per game, 74th in scoring, and 43rd in goal scoring, despite playing 20 fewer games than most of his competition.
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In the playoffs, when he was healthy and able to actually compete, Rasmussen was tied for second in playoff scoring, second in goals, fifth in assists, and second in points per game (though he was first amongst players with more than two games). 33 points in 14 games will do that. That shows what his potential truly is, and why he’s second on this list. He was a driving force behind one of the best teams in the WHL.
He’s an excellent player, somebody who will be able to play against the best competition at even strength and on the first unit power play. He needs work in his own zone and will need to get more time on the penalty kill as he continues to develop, but the Detroit Red Wings have two excellent centers. Joe Veleno can take the first unit penalty kill. If Rasmussen is able to focus on the offensive side of the game, the Red Wings will have an excellent one-two punch.