At this point in the offseason, a fair number of, “Team X should trade for Team Y’s Player Z” articles, and I usually pay them little heed.
Today is an exception, I suppose. Sports Illustrated’s “Inside the Penguins'” Jacob Punturi posted a list of “Five Depth Forwards the Penguins Should Target,” and I’m not saying that this guy is off-limits, but he strikes me as already having been penciled-in as Detroit’s fourth-line center:
Michael Rasmussen: The biggest option available (literally) for the Penguins is 6’6″ forward Michael Rasmussen of the Detroit Red Wings. The 23-year-old has seen continual improvement at the NHL level and most recently set career highs in goals, assists, and points this past season (15 goals, 12 assists, 27 points). With both center and wing capabilities, Rasmussen would bring a little of everything to the Penguin’s bottom six.
He can score and would add a net front presence to the power play units. He’s also adept defensively and would give head coach Mike Sullivan another penalty killing option. Rasmussen is under contract for this upcoming season and the following one at a modest cap hit of $1.4 million.
The Red Wings are looking to take the next step and might be unwilling to deal with their depth players, but if things take a turn, expect Hextall to make a call or two on this player.
Continued; now anything is possible in this NHL, and this summer, especially, but I don’t see the Red Wings dealing a 23-year-old who is 6’6″ and does have potential to become a stalwart 3rd-line center to “make room” for someone, and I don’t see anyone on the Penguins’ depth chart that intrigues me.
That’s a hard “No, why?” from me.
