The Detroit Red Wings have signed forward Michael Rasmussen to a four-year contract worth $3.2 million per season.
Rasmussen was set to become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights at the end of the season while holding a $1.46 million cap hit. The 24-year-old is on pace for a career-best season this yaer, scoring 11 goals and 23 points through 56 games. He had a better season last year with 29 points in 56 games, but missed time due to a knee injury.
Rasmussen made the Red Wings full-time in 2018-19 before heading down to the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins the following year. He finally became a full-time NHLer in 2021-22 and has consistently produced at least 20 points a season ever since.
The middle-six threat is a good two-way center who has figured out how to use his 6-foot-6 frame to his advantage in recent years. Drafted ninth overall in 2017, Rasmussen is aggressive, pushes players off the puck and can create havoc in front of the net. Rasmussen has really developed his defensive game in recent years to help make him a more effective all-around threat.
The Red Wings currently hold the second wild-card spot, one point behind the Tampa Bay Lightning and four ahead of the New Jersey Devils. The team is 6-3-1 over the past 10 games and is riding a two-game win streak, earning them some prominence in the standings.
Detroit will return to action on Feb. 22 against the Colorado Avalanche before facing off against St. Louis on Saturday afternoon. They’ll wrap up the weekend with a 6:00 PM ET start against Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday.
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