Red Wings prospect and Tri-City Americans captain Michael Rasmussen has shifted from center to wing since returning from wrist surgery, and MLive’s Ansar Khan reports that the positional change has benefited Rasmussen, per Wings director of player development Shawn Horcoff:
He had 31 goals and 59 points in 47 games during the regular season, playing mostly center, his natural position. He played a little on the wing toward the end of the year, which the Red Wings encouraged.
Rasmussen’s posted 10 goals and 14 assists for 24 points over the course of 8 playoff games played…
“He’s learning how to (play wing),” Horcoff said. “He’s normally been a center. We know him to be that and view him as that. But at the same time, it’s always good to learn how to play wing, which makes him more of a complete player.”
Horcoff said Rasmussen is skating much better. That was the main concern when he was drafted. He has tremendous hands and offensive instincts.
“When he first started playing (the wing) it took a little bit, but once the playoffs started he found his groove and is more comfortable,” Horcoff said. “He’s hard on the puck. With his size and strength in that league he’s hard to knock off the puck down low.
“He’s making some great offensive plays, some great passes, showing some really good vision from below the tops of the circles, which is a nice asset to go along with his good hands and scoring touch out front.”
