SUNDAY FEATURE: Red Wings' Prospects Rasmussen, Svechnikov On Different Paths To The NHL

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Grand Rapids, Mich - There has been ample chatter surrounding the development of Detroit Red Wings prospects - especially this season with their use of the taxi squad system.

Every NHL club is utilizing the taxi squad set up in a way that best interests their clubs, but Detroit's focus seems to be trial-running developing prospects that otherwise didn't get as much of a look.

Detroit Red Wings Taxi Squad Challenging Mental Development of Prospects

The Grand Rapids Griffins have been shuffling players back and forth to Detroit through the taxi squad, but is it helping the prospects' development or hurting it?

The argument could be made that it’s not providing the prospects enough ice time in the NHL to be worthwhile, and stunting their mental development. Other arguments would state it’s a greater opportunity for them to prove themselves and embrace the challenge.

There are a few prospects that have consistently made the trip to Detroit from Grand Rapids. Have those frequent and inconsistent trips helped or harmed their development?

The Curious Case of Evgeny Svechnikov

Drafted 19th overall in the first round of the 2015 NHL  Draft, Svechnikov has been with the Detroit organization in some capacity since 2016-17. He was a part of the Grand Rapids Griffins Calder Cup Championship team his rookie season, where he tallied 51 points ( goals, assists) in 74 regular-season games.

Since then, Geno's production has been up and down - similar to his trips between the NHL roster, taxi squad and AHL this season.

The season-ending MCL injury he sustained in 2018-19 is no longer a problem, which leaves many wondering what is going on with his development.

He's a developed player regarding his physical output, strength, size, and overall power. The mental conditioning is the side of the coin that Detroit seems to pay little attention to regarding Evgeny.

There is a level of mental fortitude that does need to be addressed when trying to create elite players. Svechnikov is a cerebral player - very internally mentally driven and focused. That being said, he knows what he needs to accomplish as an individual.

"Focus on myself, first of all. There are things I can't control and I can't get frustrated over," Svechnikov said, "I just want to be myself every day. Working hard, coming in (being) professional."

However, the little time he's been entrusted with on the ice in Detroit hasn't been enough, to this point, to grow into that role mentally.

Being that it’s his last season with Detroit, their use of him, even on the taxi squad, should be expanded to allow him the time to embrace the role consistently. The production comes as the trust builds. In this way, the Red Wings can do better.

Svechnikov remains optimistic that the brass will see his efforts eventually.

"The time will come. I know it’s been tough for me... but I just have to believe, keep grinding...that's my mindset.

Michael Rasmussen Not Phased by Reassignment

On the other side of the spectrum, Michael Rasmussen seems to be unaffected by the frequent assignments and transactions.

Drafted 9th overall in 2017, he's had less time in the league than Svechnikov but has so far garnered the trust of the Red Wings management more. He spent his rookie year in Detroit where he earned 18 points in 62 games. The decision was a strategic one due to his existing junior contract, but the arrangement didn't appear to hurt him at all.

Like Svechnikov, Rasmussen has since spent time up and down on the taxi squad, and in Grand Rapids. Unlike Svechnikov, however, Michael is a "rise and grind" type player that doesn't really take things personally.

When asked about Detroit's requirements for him this season, he simply stated, "You just got to take it for what it is and do what's asked of you."

Short, sweet, and to the point.

It’s not to say Rasmussen is not a thoughtful player - that he is. When on the ice, he's very intentional, precise, and calculated. Each move is thought through and he's completely in control of his composure. He grinds when he must, scores when he can, and fights if he has to. He is a hockey guy through and through.

However, unlike Svechnikov, Rasmussen's development style is like a soldier following orders.

"I feel like the front of the net is where a lot of goals are scored. So put myself there as much as possible," he told media following practice.

If there is a mental challenge or roadblock, no one knows about it.

Rasmussen's style is ideal for the back-and-forth development life between the NHL and AHL. Of course, that's not the final goal.

The Red Wings need strong centerman and scorers, and Rasmussen is the body that will take on that role very well when there's a full-time slot available.

Though he is not as mentally driven as Svechnikov, does that mean Detroit shouldn't consider the mental aspects of such a life. Absolutely not.

This season has a long way to go yet, so time will tell if it ends up taking a toll on him, but the Wings should still have it in their back of their minds, how they travel and their frequently changing demands will impact their mindset and future growth.

Final Resolve

The Detroit Red Wings and Grand Rapids Griffins have an excellent partnership for development.

The use of the call-ups, taxi squad, reassignments, etc., have always been the norm at the AHL level, and this season is no different.

However, the different format of this season as a whole should raise some questions regarding how it will impact the prospects' growth and if it will even be a factor for some. The game day travel, fewer in-person sessions, limited training capacity, and no fans are all aspects that will take a toll.

The stunted growth of a few of the players may not entirely be because they're unable to execute on the ice or they're not working hard enough, like is often suggested when such cases arise.

The mental battles developing athletes face, whether they let on or not, does affect what translates on the ice. It is the responsibility of the player to communicate that, however, it’s also the responsibility of the teams to provide the tools to overcome those obstacles so they can grow in spite of those challenges.

By no means should a team coddle a player who is incapable of growth. The suggestion here is for Detroit to be attentive to the mental development of their prospects. There is a standard that has been set, as there should be, but each player is different on how they get there.

For Svechnikov, trust is huge. When he's entrusted with more responsibility and encouraged in that area, he thrives.

For Rasmussen, his mentality is following orders. Different folks and different strokes but the same goal - to make it to the NHL full-time.

In the end, the taxi squad is a benefit to the prospects, overall. It does provide them with the opportunity to practice with the NHL club, get familiar and acclimated, but it is the responsibility of the NHL club to then make sure those players are being properly used.

This year, unlike any other, will be critical for the development of players.

Griffins Head Coach Ben Simon said, "I'm sure there's going to be some times where we sit there and think 'this is crazy - this is nuts' but you just have to roll with it."

The change of format and procedure will separate those who are able to adapt, but there is a responsibility on the part of the teams to ensure they too as clubs are also developing to provide the best possible chances for players.

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