Detroit Red Wings forward Michael Rasmussen reaches for a loose puck as St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington and Justin Faulk defend. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)AP
DETROIT – Missing a chunk of games at the end of the season for the second year in a row was tough for Michael Rasmussen, but it didn’t stunt his growth.
The 25-year-old Detroit Red Wings forward took another step. Consistency was the key.
“That’s a hard thing to do in this league and I think for the most part, I was consistent,” Rasmussen said. “The things that make my game effective -- forechecking, killing penalties, trying to play with energy, trying to be physical. Adding some offense here and there. Positive steps taken that way.”
Rasmussen was the Red Wings’ first top-10 pick in 26 years when selected ninth overall in 2017. Five seasons into his NHL career, he is the team’s second-longest tenured player after Dylan Larkin. He isn’t the scorer he was in juniors but has filled a valuable role.
Coach Derek Lalonde relied heavily on his line, with center Andrew Copp and right wing Christian Fischer.
“Playing with Copper probably the majority of the past two years, it’s great to play with a guy like him,” Rasmussen said. “He makes it pretty easy for me and I guess Fish as well. Adding Fish, just a hard worker, plays the right way. You know he’s going to do all the little things out there.
“I think we had some success. We did some really good things throughout the year, created some momentum and depth for the team.”
Rasmussen had 13 goals and a career-best 33 points and plus-8 rating in 75 games. He missed the final seven games due to an upper-body injury.
“Proud of how the guys handled that little stretch,” said Rasmussen, who sat out the last 24 games the previous season following a knee injury. “A lot of adversity was thrown at us. It was hard to watch, a tough couple of days kind of digesting it, trying to get over the feeling that we should still be playing.”
The four-year, $12.8 million extension Rasmussen signed in February kicks in next season. He figures to continue playing with Copp. Fischer is an unrestricted free agent whose status is uncertain.
“As far as goals, just continue to get stronger and faster,” Rasmussen said. “I’m at my best game when I’m skating, winning puck races. That would be the biggest thing I’m just trying to get better at is my skating and maybe some more touch around the net. You look back and reflect on some opportunities that could’ve maybe changed the outcome of certain games and therefore the season if different pucks go in for you.”
He doesn’t wear a letter on his jersey and isn’t as experienced as many others on this veteran-laden roster, but he’s prepared for a bigger leadership role.
“I think it just comes with experience and maturity,” Rasmussen said. “I’ll probably try to tell (younger players) every day you got to work and every day you got to earn your job. If you try to do those things, I think everything else falls into place.”
