Detroit — Michael Rasmussen was a prolific goal scorer in junior hockey, as most NHL players were.
Rasmussen has found the ability to score goals in the pros more difficult, as most probably expected it to be for the 6-foot-6, 210-pound forward who was a man among boys in junior, but struggled with the speed and physical aspect of the NHL early.
Still only 22, but in his fourth year of pro hockey, Rasmussen seems to be settling into a role where he might become a dependable, double-digit goal scorer who can use his best attributes — size, net-front presence, decent scoring touch — to be a contributor offensively.