[Signing] Hawks Sign Rasmussen

[CRAZY_4_NAZZY]

http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/madhouse-enforcer/Blackhawks-Sign-Swedish-Center-Dennis-Rasmussen-262554051.html

The Chicago Blackhawks already have some truly talented Swedish players on their roster, and they added another guy to the mix on Tuesday when it was reported that they had signed center Dennis Ramussen to a one-year contract:

The 23-year-old Rasmussen likely will be a long-shot candidate to make the Blackhawks’ roster out of training camp later this year, but he is a guy with a lot of ability on both ends of the ice. Here is how the website Elite Prospects described him:

“A center with good size and wheels, as well as two-way acumen. Has fine stick skills and handles the puck well. Drives the net and battles along the boards. Useful on the penalty kill and can play wing in a pinch.”

There probably isn’t a more accurate description of what head coach Joel Quenneville looks for in a forward than you’ll find in a scouting report. Getting to the net and battling for loose pucks are both traits that the coach emphasizes, and if Rasmussen can really play on the penalty kill, that could potentially be another selling point when he’s trying to make the roster.

As his career progressed over in Sweden, his offensive production has steadily increased as well. In the 2012-13 Season with the Vaxjo Lakers, Rasmussen scored 16 goals and dished out 12 assists in 42 games, and in the most recent year, he scored 16 goals again and added a career high 24 assists as the Lakers made the SHL playoffs. In the postseason, he scored twice and had four assists in 12 games.

If the team ends up keeping Andrew Shaw at second line center to begin the season, Rasmussen could be one of the players competing for the third or fourth line center spot. Joakim Nordstrom, Marcus Kruger, and Ben Smith will also get the opportunity to be in the mix at center, so it’ll be interesting to see how everything ends up shaking out in that battle.

Renaud Lavoie @renlavoietva Follow

#blackhawks signed Swedish C Dennis Rasmussen. One year contract at $793,000 (2 way) #tvasports

[Jiggs50]

Rich get richer...

[canucklehead44]

Strong signing by the Hawks. I was hoping we would sign him last offseason when he was 22 years old coming off at 16 goal 28 point season. Improved to 40 points this year.

Had more goals and points in less games than Rhett Rakshani who scored at a a point per game in the AHL.

[elvis15]

Yeah, back in May it was rumoured both us and Philly were front runners among teams interested:

[Rumour] Canucks (and Philly) interested in Dennis Rasmussen

Nothing amazing, but he was described as the following type of player:

"He's an ok prospect. Big, strong forward with some two-way ability but as a potential NHLer he's probably a 4th liner, 3rd in a best case scenario."

[Darth Kane]

He's a low-risk low-reward type of signing. If the doesn't work out he can be sent to Rockford and get paid $70,000. It's only a 1 year deal so both parties have the ability to walk away rather quickly. If he can stick with the big club he'll likely be a 4th liner, replacing Handzus.

[DefCon1]

He's a low-risk low-reward type of signing. If the doesn't work out he can be sent to Rockford and get paid $70,000. It's only a 1 year deal so both parties have the ability to walk away rather quickly. If he can stick with the big club he'll likely be a 4th liner, replacing Handzus.

So the reward is low too? Well, then good thing we didn't sign him. I rather sign a low risk, high reward type of player.

[elvis15]

Yeah, he only projects as a 4th, maybe 3rd liner.