MLive’s Ansar Khan is the first beat writer out of the chute with a Monday article regarding the comments made during today’s Zoom calls, and Khan notes that Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill views forward Michael Rasmussen a little differently than the team did when they first drafted him:
The Detroit Red Wings drafted Michael Rasmussen ninth overall in 2017 because of the offensive ability he displayed as a junior.
Now they have other ideas.
“Ultimately, I think he can become a real big, lockdown-type center that can play against other teams’ best players,” coach Jeff Blashill said. “That could really put him in a position to be an extremely valuable five-on-five player. Then he’s always got the real good net-front ability on the power play.
“So, he’s got two things that he can really separate himself from other guys. Now he’s just got to prove it every day. I think the mental toughness it takes to fight through the number of injuries and frustration is going to be critical for him.”
Drafting Ras was a bad choice by KH. He will be lucky to be a 4th line winger.
I have not been excited about his “plays at the same level, every game and it is too low”, Really not his fault and not sure why seemed to miss everything but his size.
I guess , I would put him on the Taxi squad, then GR??
1st RD picks are so valuable!
If I was a 1st RD pick, I would be pretty Pi$$ed by now and work my butt off!!! Can Ras do that, lots of doubts and why didn’t someone see that?
I mentioned when Canada WHL?? played Russia. He avoided two Russians mouthing off to him, Ras skated behind the Net to avoid them. I was really PI$$ED off that he did nothing, he could have a least given them a dirty look. LOL. Geez, even me as as 5’7″ goalie would have lost it on those Russians. His mins where low and he didn’t do squat. He needs to talk to someone but I doubt he can change. Not really trade bait. Time to do something with him, not a 4th line player, needs to be able to work hard,
One level of heart , maybe ball hockey/