Detroit Red Wings forward Marco Kasper has been impressive since he was drafted eighth overall by Detroit in 2022. He started his climb through the Red Wings organization starting with the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League (AHL).
He also made quite an impression during rookie camp and exhibition games. Now, he has left his mark on this team and has shown signs of greatness. Is he the player that could take them to the playoffs?
Red Wings' Kasper developing into a star
The 20-year-old from Innsbruck, Austria has grown into a Red Wings player. He has offense and is a good two-way player. His aggressiveness on the puck is like no other young player in the organization. His puck handling skills are something to see and his awareness in all three zones is a credit to his hockey IQ.
His hard work early on paid off as he made his NHL debut on April 2, 2023, in a 5-2 win against the Toronto Maple Leafs. While he did not factor in the scoring, he was noticeable on the ice, standing out against the best in the game. He only played one game but he put himself on the map.
He spent the following season in Grand Rapids but this season he has developed into an NHL player at a young age. He has been consistently in the top four on the top two lines and now has chemistry on teh second line with Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat. The line looks like they have been together for many seasons but they have all of the ingredients to be a special line going forward.
Kasper is eighth in NHL rookie scoring with 27 points in 13 goals and 14 assists through 62 games. He has 30 penalty minutes, two power-play goals, two power-play assists, one game-winning goal, and a 46 percent faceoff winning percentage. All of this while he is averaging only 15 minutes of ice time. Talk about making an impact.
Kasper has such a great skill set that it is hard for the opposition to focus on stopping one
In the offensive zone, he can create offense from anywhere and plays in the dirty areas, including the front of the net. He is not afraid to mix it up and drop the gloves either, showcasing his toughness.
His goal-scoring is something to take note of. As a young player, he can score in a number of ways. He can score on tips, rebounds, and redirects. He is also patient with the puck, waiting out defenders to find an open teammate.
He fits the Red Wings mold and fits perfectly in the lineup with everything he brings to the table. He complements his linemates perfectly and is a great fit between two first-class players. The sky is te limit for Kasper and he has yet to disappoint.
He has become one of the better players on Detroit's roster over the past few weeks and he may not be done yet. If the Red Wings make the playoffs, expect him to play a big role in how far they go.