Red Wings have reportedly decided Michael Rasmussen's future

It sounds as though the Detroit Red Wings may be preparing to make a major move when it comes to the future of forward Michael Rasmussen.

According to NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman, the Red Wings have been working on getting the physically intimidating former 1st round draft selection to a contract extension before he is eligible to become a restricted free agent following this season's end. 

He had the following to say during his recent "32 Thoughts" segment: 

"Sounds like the Red Wings have been working on an extension with Michael Rasmussen, who will be a restricted free agent this summer."

Rasmussen, who was selected  by the Red Wings with the 9th overall pick in the 2017 NHL Draft, has appeared in a total of 248 NHL games, scoring 37 goals with 52 assists along with 175 PIM. He's in the last season of his three-year, $4.38 million contract ($1.46 million AAV) that he signed in the summer of 2021. 

His value to the Red Wings was immediately apparent last season after he went down with an injury when he blocked a shot from Lightning defenseman Zach Bogosian, breaking his kneecap and putting him on the shelf for the remainder of the regular season. His absence in the lineup was glaringly apparent, especially in Detroit's next two games against the division rival Ottawa Senators in which they were outscored and outclassed physically; those pair of games essentially ended Detroit's pursuit of a playoff berth, and they would subsequently begin selling off assets. 

Stay tuned for any further upcoming details regarding a potential extension for Rasmussen by the Red Wings! 

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