from Craig Custance of The Athletic,
Former NHL defenseman Jason Smith, who also was an Ottawa Senators assistant coach, is in his second season as Kelowna’s head coach. In his playing days, Smith was a big, stay-at-home defenseman who retired following the 2009 season. He knows what it takes for a player to have success in the NHL and in Rasmussen, he sees skills that are immediately transferrable to the Red Wings. Most notably, the way Rasmussen thinks through the game.
“Whether you call it hockey IQ or game management, awareness and vision, the players who can transfer the quickest and give themselves the best opportunity to grow and become players at the next level quicker than the rest are the ones who have that knowledge of the game,” Smith told The Athletic.
Rasmussen showed Smith that hockey IQ with his adjustments on the fly, and his ability to be a factor in all aspects of the game. It was the little things, like having a good stick after a lengthy shift in the defensive zone to knock the puck down and get a clear, or creating offense off the rush with a smart pass in the offensive zone.
“You can look at vision with the puck,” Smith said. “Being able to process the next play at a pace where you don’t have to double clutch and stickhandle the puck three times to make the pass.”...
“Whether it was 5-on-5 or the power play, they found a way,” Smith said. “He’s an elite player.”
more (paid subscription) including Jeff Blashill on a recent visit with Rasmussen...
added 10:40am, Below, Carley Johnson with a draft lottery preview video...
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