from Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press,

“He got off to a really good start this season," Horcoff said. "He spent a lot of time in the summer training and that led to a good start. Then he got injured and it took him some time to come back from that.

“One thing with Ras, he’s played center this year, which is a big step for him. We like his game defensively. He’s got good sense.”

Rasmussen, who turned 21 on April 17, had seven goals and 15 assists in 35 games when the AHL shut down March 12, the same date as the NHL. The Wings had 11 games left in their season, but would not have called up Rasmussen unless there was an opening for him to play center.

Rasmussen has another season of waiver exemption, but he will be expected to challenge for an NHL job in 2020-21.

His task will be to utilize his size to demonstrate he can be an asset playing in front of the net, especially on power plays, an area where the Wings desperately need help. If he can do that and defend well, there’s a chance for Rasmussen to emerge as a viable third-line center.

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