The Athletic’s Craig Custance penned a lengthy article regarding Michael Rasmussen this morning, discussing Rasmussen’s wrist surgery, the impact the incredibly serious, studious Rasmussen has made upon the Wings’ coaching staff and front office, and Rasmussen’s play in the WHL playoffs, where he’s posted 14 goals, 15 assists and 29 points over the course of only 12 playoff games.
Custance reached out to Jason Smith, the coach of a team that Rasmussen’s Tri-City Americans defeated in the Kelowna Rockets, and Smith gave Rasmussen a thumbs-up:
“Whether you call it hockey IQ or game management, awareness and vision, the players who can transfer the quickest and give themselves the best opportunity to grow and become players at the next level quicker than the rest are the ones who have that knowledge of the game,” Smith told The Athletic.
Rasmussen showed Smith that hockey IQ with his adjustments on the fly, and his ability to be a factor in all aspects of the game. It was the little things, like having a good stick after a lengthy shift in the defensive zone to knock the puck down and get a clear, or creating offense off the rush with a smart pass in the offensive zone.
“You can look at vision with the puck,” Smith said. “Being able to process the next play at a pace where you don’t have to double clutch and stickhandle the puck three times to make the pass.”
For him, the turning point in his assessment of Rasmussen’s game was Game 2 of that first-round series. Every time Kelowna got a goal, it was Rasmussen and Geekie who seemed to answer.
“Whether it was 5-on-5 or the power play, they found a way,” Smith said. “He’s an elite player.”
Custance continues (paywall)…
Unpopular Opinion:
He’s turning into a good draft pick. Not great, but better than what the wailing masses thought.
Remember when people HATED us taking Tyler Bertuzzi? Seems to be working out as well. Other than cap issues, maybe they actually know more about what they’re doing than we give them credit for at the time… just maybe.
I endorse this. He probably won’t be Joe Thornton, but it looks like the org has once again “hit” on another lottery pick.
Granted, there is still time for him to improve or flop.
At the time I didn’t think Baby Bert was a good pick. He has since changed my mind completely. He has many skills and can play anywhere in the lineup. Fun to watch!!
So our highest pick in 25+ years had an OK season playing centre, followed by a relatively brief stint as a winger where he went beast mode. All in a league in which he towers over everyone else, which is an advantage that won’t be as evident in the NHL.
Meh.
Definitely some signs of promise, but way too early to declare this as a “hit”! Time will tell.
whaaaaaaaaat? Something good was said about a rw prospect? We cant have that now can we??
I see him a bit like Larkin who jumped into the NHL as a Center. The change to Wing gave him less responsibilites. Nowc back to Center he looks good as a Center.
Maybe Ras is a lot like Larkin, if he and when he jumps to the NHL. For some reason I don’t see him as a Griffin which might make a move to Wing for a good thing?
Will see!
Its nice to see all the positive press about him since the WHL playoffs began, the hope for him is certainly building.