In Red Wings Land

Should Red Wings send Michael Rasmussen back to juniors? | MLive

DETROIT – Michael Rasmussen was ineligible to play for the Grand Rapids Griffins during the regular season, except for a brief conditioning stint, because he still has junior eligibility.

But the 6-6 forward could be a nice addition for the Griffins in the AHL playoffs.

That can only happen if the Detroit Red Wings send Rasmussen back to his junior club, the WHL Tri-City Americans, which they are contemplating.

Should they? I think my official answer is it depends.

He needs to be playing. If the Red Wings plan to consistently make him a healthy scratch for whatever reason after the trade deadline, then I guess I would send him down to the WHL. I don’t think he has too much to gain from going back to juniors, but the real thing is him getting the chance to have a potentially long playoff run with the Griffins in the AHL. Of course, the Tri-City Americans season needs to end first and they are currently in a WHL playoff position.

If the Wings don’t plan to scratch him, then just keep him with the big club. An AHL playoff run would be nice for him to be a part of, but NHL minutes are also pretty important too.

Around the League

Trade Bait: Which players could fetch first-rounders? | TSN

The wild cards are Ryan Dzingel, Mats Zuccarello, Gustav Nyquist and Jimmy Howard. Depending on the circumstances, any one of them could bring back a first-round pick. If the Carolina Hurricanes would have gotten a first-round pick for Micheal Ferland, he would already be gone.

The Red Wings have been holding out for one for Howard, who is a candidate to re-sign in Detroit even if he finishes this season as a rental elsewhere. The Calgary Flames and Carolina Hurricanes are believed to have kicked the tires on Howard recently.

The Canes should absolutely trade a 1st round pick to Detroit and reunite Howard with Petr Mrazek.