He's one of the best skaters on our team, and that's something we need. The NHL is all about speed and skating. Patrick is also very impressed by Rasmussen's wheels. The added playing time and increased on-ice role were just what Rasmussen needed. His confidence is on the rise, especially now that he is playing a prominent role on a checking line with Brown and Vaclav Varada.
Confidence is a huge thing.
You see it on the ice. Rasmussen has learned to turn up his intensity. Brown sees it too. When Erik is out there skating and banging bodies, he's creating a lot of things for us. He knew it was in his grasp.