Michael Rasmussen has spent the past two seasons solidifying himself in the Red Wings' future. He's cemented for four more.
The Wings have signed Rasmussen to a four-year, $12.8 million extension, the club announced Tuesday. The big-bodied forward, who has found his game on the wing after moving from center last season, was set to be a restricted free agent this summer.
It's a well-earned raise for Rasmussen, whose average annual salary will jump from $1.5 million to $3.2 million. He's played a key role this season in the Red Wings' bottom six and on their penalty kill. He brings heaviness to the lineup with his 6'6 frame and some scoring touch in front, on pace for a career-high 16 goals. He's also second on the team and first among forwards at plus-11.
Rasmussen isn't a franchise pillar like Dylan Larkin or Alex DeBrincat, but he's clearly one of the pieces that Steve Yzerman wants to build with. His new deal will take him through his age-28 season, as Detroit's competitive window starts to open. His game should translate well to the playoffs, when puck possession comes at a premium and strength stands out.
"We’re still raw in his development," Derek Lalonde said after shifting him to the wing last season, "but I just think the wing frees up what he is: he hunts pucks, he wins battles, he simplifies his game. You know a winger is good when every center starts to come hinting that they would like to play with him, or if I have a talk with a player about their current game and they’re like, 'Well, when I was with Rass...' That’s certainly a good sign.
"It’s a credit to him, because he’s probably a will kid. Again, I’m getting to know him, but he’s always a work-ethic-first (guy) and he’s getting rewarded. I’m really excited."
Surely, so is Rasmussen with this extension -- and with the idea of reaching the playoffs for the first time in his career. The Red Wings are well-positioned to snap a seven-year postseason drought, four points ahead of the Devils for the final wild card spot and sixth in the East in points percentage entering play Tuesday night.