The term “make-or-break” is a little overused at times, but the Hockey News’s Jake Tye uses it correctly in suggesting that this season will be a pivotal one for Red Wings center Michael Rasmussen.
The big man is 27 now, but he’s coming off a difficult, injury-marred campaign, and while the Wings’ current lack of depth at center effectively earns Rasmussen a spot on the team, he’s got to rebound from last year, big time:
If Rasmussen is given one last runway at third- or fourth-line center this season, he may finally get the chance to show his upside. The problem is that Detroit’s bottom six is far from open. Marco Kasper has yet to take the leap many expected, and J.T. Compher has been a disappointment relative to his contract, yet both remain fixtures in the middle of the lineup, leaving little clarity on where, or whether, Rasmussen fits.
That logjam means Rasmussen’s leash may be shorter than he’d like. If he struggles again, his roster spot could be in real jeopardy, particularly with several prospects knocking on the door for NHL opportunities. A step backward this season could mean Rasmussen is dealt out of Detroit in a trade similar to the one that sent Elmer Söderblom out of Hockeytown last season.
Tye also suggests that Rasmussen could still develop into a useful contributor:
If Rasmussen rediscovers his scoring touch and proves he can be a dependable two-way presence up the middle, the best-case outcome might look something like Nicolas Roy’s career arc.
Roy built a reputation in Vegas as a steady 30-to-40-point center who could be trusted defensively, a reputation strong enough that the Toronto Maple Leafs later dealt him to the Colorado Avalanche at this year’s trade deadline for a conditional first-round pick and a conditional fifth-rounder.
If Rasmussen can find that kind of footing, reliable in his own end, chipping in offensively, trustworthy in a middle-six role, he could carve out a long-term future in Detroit. If not, the Red Wings appear ready to move on in favor of their pipeline of young talent.
