The Detroit Red Wings have re-signed one of their restricted free agents, inking Michael Rasmussen to a three-year contract. PuckPedia reports that the deal will carry an average annual value of $1.46M. Rasmussen will earn $1M in 2021-22, $1.48M in 2022-23 and $1.9M in 2023-24.
After spending the entire 2019-20 season in the minor leagues, Rasmussen was back up with the Red Wings this year and played in 40 of the team’s 56 games. He recorded just three goals and 12 points those games, but obviously did enough to earn a new deal from the team. There’s something to be said for a 22-year-old center that stands 6-foot-6 and can handle himself defensively, but Rasmussen’s offensive production is still a concern.
Selected ninth overall in 2017, Rasmussen has now generated just 11 goals and 30 points in 102 NHL games. His offense was the big question mark even in junior, and if he’s to ever live up to his top-10 billing it will need to improve. Still, at a $1.46M cap hit, the Red Wings can afford to be patient with the hulking center, allowing him to develop while occupying a spot lower in the lineup.
For Detroit GM Steve Yzerman, this is just the first of many moves coming this summer to fill out the roster. Rasmussen becomes just the fifth forward on the team under a one-way contract for 2021-22, and the only one signed for more than two years. In fact, he is now the only player in the entire organization signed to a one-way deal for 2023-24.
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