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From ISS Hockey:
Rasmussen, Michael:
Scouting Report | Tri-City's 1st Rnd. Pick, 7th Overall in 2014 Bantam Draft, Rasmussen is a big power forward that is a physical presence when he is on the ice. He is a very powerful skater and once he gets going, he is hard to stop. Uses his size very well to win space, protect pucks and win battles. Scoring at a torrid pace until he missed last 22 games of the season, but seems like more of a playmaker than a goalscorer at the next level. Knows where his teammates are all the time. Willing to go into the corners and in front of the net and uses his feet well to control the puck along the boards and on faceoffs. Skates very well for a kid that size. No issues with his stride, speed should continue to improve as he adds strength to his massive frame. Acceleration needs work but nothing that shouldn't take care of itself in time.
Dir. Of Scouting, Dennis MacInnis | “Big time upside if he puts it all together. Still growing into his body. A raw offensive product that will need more seasoning.”
ISS Scout Brent Parker | “Great net front presence and his length and hand eye coordination make him very hard to handle for opposing defenders. Long loping skater who is a better skater than he originally looks”.
ISS Scout Greg Hickman | “Two-way centre with great size. Ability to dominate play physically. Strong with the puck and controls puck well. Overall strong two-way game and can play different roles and responsibilities”.
From Recruites.ca:
It’s rare to see a 6-5+ CHL center score 46 goals in his draft year but that’s exactly what Rasmussen was on pace to do before having to shut down his season at the start of February with a fractured scaphoid.
“It’s hard to find those 6-5 guys who can score 30 goals in the NHL,” said one NHL scout that considers Rasmussen one of the top seven prospects in the draft. “We all like the talented guys and when you’ve got the size to go with it...hard to find those guys. When you’re not running an NHL team and you think they’re all going small, skilled guys, whatever, that’s the attitude, but you still have to have size. He’s highly coveted by NHL teams.” Rasmussen was the top-line center the past two seasons in Tri-City, playing 20-25 minutes per game in all situations - killing penalties, running the power play, winning key faceoffs, facing the WHL’s top lines and scoring important goals.
“He’s going to have a long, long career,” said his coach Mike Williamson. “There are other guys going to get drafted either before that may have some more splash and dash, but I think that there’s so many things that he’ll do...his off-thepuck battles and being a playoff-type player...I think he can be a very valuable guy to a team for a long, long time.”
There’s not a team in the NHL that would pass on a 6-5 center with a powerful stride, soft hands, great shot/release, playmking abilites and competitiveness so don’t be surprised to see him selected in the top seven.
“Now that is a prospect,” gushed one scout in December. “He has a terrific shot. He’s going to score plenty of goals in the NHL with his size and hands, especially with that shot.”
From McKeen's Hockey:
Between Rasmussen, Klim Kostin, Timothy Liljegren, Nolan Patrick and Gabriel Vilardi, this draft class has perhaps unprecedented uncertainty due solely to injury troubles. The BC native had followed up a promising rookie season with Tri-City with a stronger sophomore campaign until a broken wrist ended his season in early March. Finishing with 55 points in50 games gave him a point-per-game ratio that was good for third on the Americans, a rather young WHL squad.
Rasmussen is a massive center who skates very well for his size, and pretty well even if we ignore the fact that he is 6-6”. He has plus top speed and has been very impressive in the cycle thanks in part to his strong base and powerful lower half. He was nearly impossible to dislodge from the puck in those situations. Further endearing him to scouts is his pro-level shot. Although he was criticized by some for not using it often enough, both his wrist and snap shots are goal scoring threats.
His work ethic has also impressed as he battles hard in all three zones, whether that is his willingness to use his imposing frame to play in the dirty areas, or to clog passing and shooting lanes in his own end. He understands how to position himself when off the puck and how to take advantage of what his gene pool has provided. Although he is not a physical punisher, not really looking to hurt anyone out on the ice, Rasmussen does not let his elite size go to waste.
To summarize the above, there is a lot to like about Rasmussen. There is, however, a downside. 55 points in 50 games is all well and good, but 29 coming on the power play is a strong statement that he was not so effective at even strength. Further, a heavy proportion of his goals came from in tight, raising questions about his shot release.
To those that like him, they see a Nick Bjugstad type, who has shown signs of being able to dominate at the NHL level when he is healthy. Imminently worthy of a pick in the top 15 or even 10. To his detractors, they see Brian Boyle. He can play in the NHL, but never above the depth lines.
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