MONTREAL — What’s next for Detroit Red Wings prospect Michael Rasmussen? What’s best for him?

With Martin Frk making his season debut Monday at Montreal, another forward will have to sit. Coach Jeff Blashill declined to confirm who, but based on Sunday’s practice, it looks like it’s Rasmussen.

Rasmussen, 19, is one of six rookies on the Wings, and he has struggled to stand out as the whole team has had a rough start. But among the forwards, it is Justin Abdelkader who stands out most for his start - no points and minus-5 in five games. Rasmussen had one assist in five games, even as his average ice time of 12:34 per game includes 2:05 minutes on power plays, tied for third-highest on the team among those who have played five games.

If Rasmussen is a healthy scratch, the decision will bring to the forefront a discussion about what’s best long term for Rasmussen, who the Wings drafted at ninth overall in 2017. Unlike 2018 first-round pick Filip Zadina, Rasmussen cannot be sent to Grand Rapids. Rasmussen has a year left of junior eligibility, so he either has to be with the Wings, or with his junior team, the Tri-City Americans in the Western Hockey League.

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If the Wings return Rasmussen to juniors before he has played 10 games, it does not affect his entry-level contract. If they send him back after he has played 10 games, it burns the first year of the contract.

The bigger question, though, is what is best for Rasmussen’s development? Would it benefit him to go back to juniors? After a January return from wrist surgery last season, Rasmussen produced 15 goals among 28 points in the last 25 regular-season games for Tri-City – and then went on a tear in the playoffs, producing 14 goals and 17 assists in 14 games. He had multi-point performances in 10 games, and only went without a point in one game.

It’s a situation that warrants monitoring on a game-by-game basis.

Contact Helene St. James: hstjames@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @helenestjames. Check out our Red Wings Xtra app on Apple and Android!