Jan 31, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Red Wings center Michael Rasmussen (27) skates with the puck behind the net during the second period against the Florida Panthers at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
It was inevitable but the news that the Detroit Red Wings sent Michael Rasmussen back to Grand Rapids comes with the slight hope that either Dylan Larkin or Tyler Bertuzzi are nearing a return.
UPDATE: The #RedWings today assigned center Michael Rasmussen to the Grand Rapids Griffins. Additionally, the Red Wings reassigned defenseman Gustav Lindstrom to the Griffins from the team’s taxi squad.
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— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) March 5, 2021
Rasmussen wasn’t as noticeable during his latest stint with the Red Wings, but did get some time on the power play. I felt his first few games up were more productive but it also felt like a different set of circumstances. Both Larkin and Bertuzzi were in the lineup and Rasmussen saw more success on the power play when out there with Bertuzzi.
If Detroit is active with trades (which is expected), it seem plausible that Rasmussen and other Grand Rapids players who are doing well could be up to get some real minutes with the big club.
Blash Speak
At the 3:27 mark, the Detroit Free Press’ Helene St. James asks about Larkin’s status to which Blashill states that he’s not ruled out, but he has nothing further on him. Sending Rasmussen back seems like foreshadowing, but also a move to give him time to play in Grand Rapids as the Red Wings embark on a five day break.
One other interesting comment Blashill made was about how this game couldn’t be lumped in with the other two. The Red Wings surrendered a barrage of goals in both Sunday’s loss to Chicago and Tuesday’s loss to Columbus. While they weakened in the third, Blashill didn’t see it as fair to compare as Detroit played a better game overall.