Red Wings Updates: Rasmussen, Mazur, and More…
The Detroit Red Wings had a strong start in October, boasting a 6-3-1 record that places them second in the Atlantic Division.
They’ve outperformed every team in their division, with Alex DeBrincat tying for the most goals in the NHL at nine, and Dylan Larkin ranking third in the league with 15 points. The team had a lot go their way in the first month of the season, and they aim to maintain this momentum into November.
Recent developments have given hope for sustaining this momentum. Not only has one of their top prospects returned from injury, but they are also actively working on a new contract for a beloved player.
Here’s the latest news and rumors about the Red Wings:
Red Wings Negotiating a New Contract for Rasmussen Michael Rasmussen, affectionately known as “Moose” among Red Wings fans, is in the final year of his three-year, $4.38 million contract signed in 2021. Since then, he has evolved into one of the team’s key players.
Rasmussen’s contributions go beyond his statistics. With 89 points in 249 career games, the former ninth overall draft pick fulfills various roles that leverage his size and competitive spirit. His 6-foot-6 frame is put to work in the defensive zone, and he’s adept at wearing down opponents in the offensive end. The Red Wings’ struggles last season (7-15-2) after his late February season-ending injury highlight his importance. In games with him in the lineup, Detroit had a more respectable 27-21-8 record.
It’s no surprise that Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman is actively pursuing a contract extension for Rasmussen. According to insider Elliotte Friedman, the negotiations are underway, though details of the new deal remain undisclosed. Nevertheless, this development is welcomed news, given Rasmussen’s popularity with the fan base.
Rasmussen’s current deal carries a cap hit of $1.46 million, but his actual salary for this season is $1.9 million (as per CapFriendly). “Moose” may see a substantial salary increase in his next contract. Considering his improved performance over the past couple of seasons, it’s safe to say he deserves a raise; the key now is determining the deal’s duration.
Notably, Rasmussen isn’t the only pending restricted free agent (RFA) on the team. Both Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond are on expiring contracts and are expected to receive significant pay raises. Joe Veleno, whose one-year deal expires after this season, is also set to become an RFA.
The salary cap for the upcoming season is projected to increase substantially for the first time since the pandemic, offering Yzerman additional resources to secure his young free agents before the next season begins. Consequently, it appears that Rasmussen will be the first player to shape the Red Wings’ salary cap structure for the foreseeable future.
Carter Mazur’s Return to Grand Rapids Carter Mazur, a third-round pick of the Red Wings in the 2021 draft, has officially started his first full professional season in the American Hockey League (AHL). He missed the preseason due to a lower-body injury sustained during training camp.
Mazur has garnered attention as one of the Red Wings’ top prospects since his selection in the 2021 draft. He excelled in two NCAA seasons with the University of Denver and continued to impress in the AHL, recording six points in six games with the Grand Rapids Griffins to close out the previous season. Known for his scrappiness and undeniable offensive skills, he was ranked as the sixth-best Red Wings prospect by THW Red Wings writer Logan Horn in September, following a previous ranking as the third-best prospect by THW Red Wings writer Devin Little.
In his first game of the season with the Griffins, Mazur played on the second line alongside Elmer Söderblom and Amadeus Lombardi. Although he didn’t register a point in this game, he is expected to quickly find his form and showcase why he was one of the most exciting collegiate players to watch over the past two seasons.
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