Michael Rasmussen’s name still carries weight in Detroit, but the conversation around him has shifted from potential to pressure. The former ninth overall pick is now sitting in a 30-game point drought, and that kind of stretch tends to sharpen the scrutiny fast.
Rasmussen’s path has always made him one of the more closely watched Red Wings draft picks in recent memory. Detroit took the 6-foot-6 forward ninth overall at the 2017 NHL Draft after a strong run with the Tri-City Americans in the Western Hockey League, and he went back to Tri-City for another season after being selected.
The excitement around him grew another notch in 2018-19, when he moved into pro hockey. He appeared in three games with the Grand Rapids Griffins and scored a pair of goals, then spent most of that season with the Red Wings.
The production hasn’t followed at the same pace since. Last season, Rasmussen finished with 14 points in 64 games while also dealing with injuries and periodic healthy scratches. He entered this year already stuck in a scoring drought that reached back to last January, and that run has now stretched to 30 games as Detroit heads into Tuesday’s matchup with the New Jersey Devils.
There is still time for Rasmussen to turn things around. He is set to become a free agent at the end of next season, which leaves him room to rebuild his case for another contract. But if the drought lingers, the question around his future in Detroit is only going to get louder.
In Other News...
Dylan Larkin Trade Talk Now Hinges On One Massive Detroit Decision
Dylan Larkins trade request has put the Red Wings in a familiar but uncomfortable spot, with the captain holding a full no-trade clause and control over where this situation goes next. Among the teams believed to be in the mix, Florida stands out because of Larkins existing familiarity with some of the Panthers players and management from past international play, which makes the fit easier to imagine than most.
For the Panthers, the appeal is obvious. Theyre dealing with injuries and always have to juggle the salary cap carefully, so any pursuit of Larkin would have to be measured against the roster consequences of making it happen. The question now is whether Detroit and Florida can align on a framework that makes sense for both sides, especially if the price eventually requires a significant piece from the Panthers current lineup. [Read more 🡒]
Red Wings Appear Ready To Lock In A Core Scorer
The Red Wings appear to be on the verge of keeping one of their most important finishers in place, with Alex DeBrincats strong play this season making him an obvious priority in Detroit. After arriving as a proven scorer, he has quickly become a central piece of the lineup, and the organization now seems ready to reward that impact with a long-term commitment.
Multiple reports from Elliotte Friedman, Chris Johnston and Emily Kaplan point to an agreement that would keep DeBrincat tied to Detroit for years to come, a sign the club wants more than a short window of production from a player who has already changed the look of its attack. The only step left is the formal word from the team, which appears to be coming soon. [Read more 🡒]
Red Wings Found A Dangerous New Line But Still Let One Slip Away
Alex DeBrincat gave Detroit a much-needed spark, scoring twice and adding an assist in a back-and-forth game against New Jersey, but it still ended in a 5-4 loss for the Red Wings. The Devils spread the offense around with goals from Jesper Bratt, Evan Rodrigues, Anthony Mantha and Nico Hischier, while Detroit had enough firepower to stay in it and make the night feel like more than just another defeat.
The shot margin was part of the story, too, with New Jersey testing Detroit more often over the course of the game. Even so, the Red Wings left the building knowing they had stumbled onto a line that created real problems for the Devils, the kind of combination that can change how opponents have to defend them if it keeps showing up. [Read more 🡒]