from Ansar Khan of Mlive,

The Detroit Red Wings believe it's better for Michael Rasmussen to stick around and continue learning the NHL game rather than return to juniors, even if it means playing fewer minutes, a less prominent role and even sitting out occasionally.

Rasmussen will play in the 10th game of his rookie season Tuesday at Columbus (7 p.m., Fox Sports Detroit). That expends a year off his entry-level contract, making him eligible for salary arbitration and free agency a year sooner and perhaps requiring the team to protect him in the next expansion draft, if it's in 2021.

But their top priority is developing the 6-6, 221-pound forward.

"We need to win, but we also need to make sure we're doing the best thing we can for Michael Rasmussen long-term and our assessment as we stand here today is that the best thing to do is keep him here and keep playing," coach Jeff Blashill said after practice Monday.

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If you wish to hear from Blashill, I added a video of him to today's After Practice Tweets.