Detroit Hockey Now’s Bob Duff discusses the Red Wings’ decision to move Michael Rasmussen to wing this season:
That’s a lot of depth down the middle. But it isn’t so much that Rasmussen lost out at center as it his value as a winger is continuing to grow by leaps and bounds. With 10 goals in 56 games, he was on his way to a career season when a leg injury suffered while blocking a shot was scuttling Rasmussen’s season.
“Completely different player on the wing last year,” Detroit coach Derek Lalonde said of Rasmussen. “In the underlying numbers, he drove some offense. When he’s on the wing, he seems a lot more productive and can drive some lines a little bit.”
At 6-foot-6 and 211 pounds, Rasmussen can also drive some opposing players into the boards with authority. As for what drives him, it’s doing whatever is required in order to help the team win.
“I think it’s obviously a team sport,” Rasmussen explained. “It’s good wherever I slide in there. It pretty much goes for all of us if the team’s doing well, you’ll probably do well. I guess it’s like a cliche but I just try to do whatever’s asked of me. I think that goes for a lot of us.”
