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The Detroit Red Wings locked up former first-round pick Michael Rasmussen for the next four seasons.
The 24-year-old Rasmussen was a first-round pick by the Red Wings, who took him ninth overall in 2017 out of the Western Hockey League’s Tri-City Americans.
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The six-foot-six, 220-pound Rasmussen was set to become a restricted free agent after this season, but agreed to a four-year deal for $12.8 million, which averages $3.2 millions per season.
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Rasmussen has become a key third-line player for the Red Wings with Andrew Copp and former Windsor Spitfire Christian Fischer with the trio providing energy and a physical presence. Rasmussen has also worked on the team’s penalty-killing unit.
In 55 games this season, Rasmussen has produced 11 goals and 23 points and a plus 11 rating. He has 47 goals and 109 points in 293 career games.
Lions cutting Walker
The Detroit Lions will reportedly cut veteran safety Tracy Walker ahead of free agency next month.
A former third-round pick by the Lions in 2018, the 29-year-old Walker signed a three-year deal for $25 million in 2022. Cutting Walker will save the Lions $5.5 million in cap space this year.
The six-foot-one, 206-pound Walker had been squeezed out of playing time by Ifeatu Melifonwu and Kerby Joseph. Walker did appear in all 17 games this season for the Lions after C.J. Gardner-Johnson was injured, but did not dress for a playoff game after the return of Gardner-Johnson, who is slated to become a free agent next month.
Walker appeared in 62 games over five seasons with Detroit and started 37 games. He had 108 tackles in 2021 with five interceptions, but appeared in just three games in 2022 after suffering a torn Achilles.
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Tigers claim Hopkins
The Detroit Tigers have claimed outfielder T.J. Hopkins off waivers from the San Francisco Giants. To make room on the 40-man roster, the club designated left-handed pitcher Kolton Ingram for assignment.
The 27-year-old Hopkins spent his entire career with the Cincinnati Red until being designated for assignment in December and sent to the Giants for cash.
Detroit’s outfield options lean heavily on left-handed hitters in Riley Green, Kerry Carpenter, Akil Baddoo and Parker Meadows.
The six-foot-one, 190-pound Hopkins batted .308 in 94 games with Class AAA Louisville last season with 55 walks for a .411 on-base percentage. He added 16 home runs and drove in 55 runs. A former ninth-round pick by the Reds, Hopkins made his Major League Baseball debut with the Red in 2023, but hit just .171 in 25 games.
Hopkins still has two option years left and could be sent to Class AAA Toledo by the Tigers.
The 27-year-old Ingram was originally a 37th-round pick by the Tigers, but was released in 2020. He had been claimed off waivers Los Angeles Angels earlier this month.
jpparker@postmedia.com
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