DETROIT - While sitting in the press box Monday in Montreal as a healthy scratch, Detroit Red Wings rookie Michael Rasmussen focused on players he wants to emulate.
He watched how Dylan Larkin protects the puck and moves his feet. He paid attention to Brendan Gallagher's battle level on every shift.
Before practice Wednesday, coaches showed Rasmussen video of Peter Forsberg, how he protected the puck by hitting opponents with his shoulder or rear end before they could check him.
Adjusting to the lack of time and space has been the 19-year-old forward's biggest challenge transitioning from juniors to the NHL.