Calgary Flames 2017 NHL Draft Profile: C Michael Rasmussen

With the 16th overall pick, the Calgary Flames have many names to choose from. Let’s look at a possible draft pick with C Michael Rasmussen.

With the Calgary Flames (sort of) fixing their goaltending situation by acquring Mike Smith in a trade from the Arizona Coyotes, they now have two last things to focus on this off-season: A top-four defenceman and some bottom-six forwards. More about the Mike Smith trade here.

With them getting a goaltender, they most likely won’t be trading their 16th overall pick. But I’m always wrong about these things, so who knows. Maybe they will make a trade. But like I mentioned, the Flames need to add some depth in their bottom-two lines and need to help solidify their blue-line.

With some defence prospects waiting for their shot in the NHL, the Flames may be making a play for a forward over some defencemen. But like I said, I’m always wrong about these things. Everyday, sometimes two a day until the draft, we’ll be looking at some different draft profiles for the Flames. The last profile we looked at was Finnish defenceman Juuso Valimaki. Now, let’s look at Canadian forward Michael Rasmussen.

Related Story: Flames Draft Picks at the 2017 NHL Draft

Who is Michael Rasmussen?

Name: Michael Rasmussen

Birth place: Surrey, BC, Canada

Position: C

Shoots: Left

Birthdate: 1999-04-17

Height: 6’5” / 195 cm

Weight: 92 kg / 203 lbs

Team: Tri-City Americans

League: WHL

Stats from 2016-2017

Stats with Tri-City Americans, Regular Season (From eliteprospects.com):

G

A

P

PIM

+/-

5032235550-13

Former Drafts

From eliteprospects.com

2014

• Round 1, 7th overall: Tri-City Americans, WHL Bantam Draft

Rankings for the 2017 NHL Entry Draft

• #10 by ISS Hockey
  • “Out of lineup with lower body injury – almost impossible to move once parked in front of the net.”
• #10 by McKeen’s Hockey
• #15 by Hockeyprospect.com
• #16 by Future Considerations
• #5 by NHL Central Scouting (NA Skaters)

Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek ranked him at 9th overall in March, which is two spots higher than their previous rankings in January, claiming that “A wrist injury will cost him three months, but scouts still rave. Rasmussen can score goals and for a 6-foot-5 player, scouts are impressed at how well he gets around the ice. Has been great on the PP.”

NHL.com’s Mike Morreale put him at 5th overall in January.

"He knows how to use his 6-foot-6, 215-pound frame to his fullest advantage. He has shown more confidence this season with 51 points (30 goals, 21 assists) in 46 games. Does a fine job getting to the dirty areas to provide screens and get deflections, and knows how to protect the puck with his reach."

Calgary Flames

Scouting Report

"A big, skilled forward who uses his size well. Has improved his skating substantially from his midget days. For a player his size, he moves phenomenally well, smoothly and with impressive power. Does a very good job of consistently getting to the greasy areas of the ice […] Goes to the net and blocks the goaltender’s view while looking for deflections and rebounds. Not flashy hands, but can carry the puck using his body extremely well to protect it. Has underrated vision and playmaking ability. Needs some work on his shot as he currently lacks consistent accuracy and quickness in getting it off his blade. Just knows how to utilize his strengths to make a difference. Uses his reach to disrupt opponents and get into lanes. Willing to block shots. Has a ways to go, but could be special and has loads of upside. (Future Considerations)."

Where does he fit in with the Flames?

Alright, does this kid scream Joe Colborne to anybody else, or is that just me? The Calgary Flames don’t have too many guys of this size, so adding more height could be good. But if he knows how to use it, which by his scouting report, he does. Like Joe Colborne, he had good speed for his size and liked planting himself in front of the net to block the goaltenders views. And like Colborne who also would lack consistent accuracy. Let’s hope he won’t be another Colborne though (sorry Joe).

I don’t think this kid will be ready for the NHL for a few years since he still has a lot to improve in his game. But I don’t think the Flames are looking for someone right away anyways. I can see him as a bottom-six center in a couple of years, maybe on the bottom-line which is usually the ‘tough-guy’ line for teams and improve their offensive and defensive game in that area and really help solidify all the lines on a team.

Now, do I think he’s a perfect fit with the Flames? Honestly, no. But is he a safe pick? Absolutely. The pros in his game definitely outweigh the cons and it’d be nice to have a guy of his size as a forward. However, I’m not sure if the Flames quite have the room for another mediocre center as of right now. They’re confident in Sam Bennett‘s game, there’s also Curtis Lazar who can play on either a wing or at center. We know that Matt Stajan won’t be what he’s been for too much longer too since he is getting past his prime, and who knows if he’ll even be here in a few days with the Expansion Draft happening.

The Calgary Flames also have a few guys in Stockton that are waiting for their chance and have Freddie Hamilton who’s continually a healthy scratch. Since the Flames have an overload of centers.

And like always, just for fun, let’s look at his highlights:

Next: Mike Smith isn't the Answer in Goal

Like I said, he would definitely be a safe pick. A safe pick for any team and if other guys aren’t available at that 16th pick, then the Flames should absolutely pick him up. And even though he’s ranked highly by scouts, I still think the Flames would be better off drafting a guy like Lias Andersson or Nick Suzuki if they wanted to go with a center.