DETROIT - Eighteen-year-old prospects at their first NHL training camp usually don't hang around this far into the preseason.

Michael Rasmussen has earned a longer look from the Detroit Red Wings, and the ninth overall pick in this year's draft is maximizing his opportunity.

Rasmussen will be sent back to his junior club, WHL Tri-City, by the end of the week. But the 6-foot-6, 221-pound center has made a good impression on the Red Wings.

Rasmussen scored a power-play goal in Monday's 4-1 preseason victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins at Little Caesars Arena.

"I'm excited about him as a prospect," coach Jeff Blashill said. "He's big, he's smooth, he's got good hands, he's got good offensive sense.

"I think he skates well. People have questioned that, but I don't see that at all. I think he covers lots of ground in a hurry. I think he needs to move his feet a little bit more at times in the D-zone, but overall I've been happy with his play."

With Henrik Zetterberg idled by a sore neck, Rasmussen got an opportunity to center the top line with Tomas Tatar and Gustav Nyquist.

Rasmussen logged more power-play time than any Red Wing (2:58) and opened the scoring at 13:14, going to the net and firing the puck in from close range. He also provided a screen on Tatar's second-period goal.

"I've got to be there and I've got to be in front," Rasmussen said. "Whether I was in front or not, I still think it would have gone in. That's definitely part of my game."

Rasmussen has a pair of goals in three exhibition games and hasn't looked overwhelmed in camp.

"I didn't really know what to expect, honestly," Rasmussen said. "I just came in here with an open mind, and I just try to get better every day. I work hard, so I think my time here has been really good.

"I try to stay pretty even-keeled, but definitely playing games gives me confidence. And I'm playing with some pretty good players, so that definitely gives me confidence."

The biggest adjustment has been the pace of the game.

"Getting your legs under you and moving the puck quick," Rasmussen said. "You've got to be moving your feet."

Rasmussen entered camp a longshot to make the roster but said he wants to make it a difficult decision for the organization.

"I want to be here and I want to play here, so I'm definitely trying to make it hard on them," he said.

Defenseman Dennis Cholowski, the club's top pick in 2016 (20th overall), assisted on Anthony Mantha's second-period goal and logged 17:20. He continues to make good strides since development camp in July.

"The future looks bright with players like that," Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard said. "They're smart players. You could see that their confidence is growing since Day 1 of camp. Look forward to the future for them."

Cholowski is expected to play for WHL Prince George this season because the Grand Rapids Griffins' blue line is crowded.

"He should take the experience he's had here and have lots of confidence moving forward," Blashill said. "I would say the big step that he's got to take is controlling the play. I think he's got the ability to really control the play, have the puck on his stick lots, make tons of plays. Not just kind of be out there and make good breakout passes. There's nothing wrong with that, but I think he can be way more than that if he takes command and attacks the game a little bit."