(Editor’s Note: This is another installment of a player-by-player analysis of the Detroit Red Wings’ roster for the 2025-26 season. The emphasis is on how each player performed and their future in the organization. Today, we discuss veteran Detroit forward Michael Rasmussen.)

Age: 27, will turn 28 on April 17.

Contract Status: Two years remaining at an AAV of $3.2 million.

Last season’s contributions: Rasmussen contributed 6-8-14 totals in 64 games. He was minus-10 and was assessed just eight penalty minutes.

Grade: D

Past

Forward Michael Rasmussen is a lot like the Detroit Red Wings. You keep thinking there’s going to be more, but all you end up feeling is disappointment.

In past seasons, you could generally pencil in Rasmussen for double digits in goals and between 25 and 30 points. Nothing to get excited about offensively. However, enough that, combined with his ability to kill penalties and play up to his 6-foot-6, 222-pound frame, it made Rasmussen a serviceable bottom-six forward.

Present

There were declines in Rasmussen’s all-around numbers over the past two seasons. And for much of the 2025-26 campaign, Big Ras was a big mess.

Rasmussen’s 6-8-14 totals were his worst since 2020-21 (3-9-12). He endured goalless droughts of 10 and 12 games early in the season and was twice a healthy scratch. Then Rasmussen closed out the campaign by going 25 consecutive games without a point.

To be effective, Rasmussen must be playing a heavy, hard, direct game. He needs to be driving the net. He should be a physical presence, especially along the boards.

Defensively, the coaches have to be able to trust him, especially on the penalty kill.

“That’s what we need from Ras,” Detroit coach Todd McLellan confirmed.

Future

To be blunt, it might be time for the Red Wings to find a way to move on from Rasmussen. The numbers indicate that his value to the team is at an all-time low. Rasmussen’s shots, faceoff win percentage, and time on ice have all declined three seasons in a row.

The 12:39 he skated per game last season was his lowest since Rasmussen’s 2018-19 NHL rookie campaign (12:05). And Rasmussen is a combined minus-22 over the past two seasons. He was a career-best plus-8 in 2023-24.

So, what to do with a problem named Ras? Well, maybe give LA GM Ken Holland a call. He drafted Rasmussen ninth overall in 2017.

Or perhaps talk to the Vancouver Canucks. Rasmussen is from Surrey, B.C. A homecoming with his hometown team might work. The Canucks are in a rebuild and can probably convince the fanbase that a one-time first-round pick who’s 6-6 could be of value.