Latest news with #MarcoKasper
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Could Nate Danielson Make Red Wings Main Roster?
The Red Wings could take a similar approach to other contenders by placing young talent in top-six roles. A new wave of young talent is making its way into the NHL, with teams increasingly promoting prospects each season. More notably, some clubs are placing their top young players in prime positions to succeed right out of the gate. The Edmonton Oilers, for example, recently acquired prospect Isaac Howard, and early lineup projections already have him slotted alongside Connor McDavid. Similarly, in St. Louis, the Blues' top prospect Jimmy Snuggerud is expected to open the season on the top line with Robert Thomas. With fast, cost-effective young players becoming more appealing in a cap-strapped league, more teams are starting to embrace this approach. It raises an intriguing question for the Red Wings: could they follow suit—and if so, which prospect would they bet on? NHL Insider Says Red Wings Leading Race to Land Penguins' Rust Insider reports indicate the Red Wings being the top contender to land Penguins winger Bryan Rust. The Red Wings are looking to fill a top-six role on the left wing, ideally finding someone who can complement captain Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond on the first line. However, the team appears committed to keeping the second line intact, with Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane maintaining their long-standing on-ice chemistry. Center Marco Kasper has also shown strong numbers between the two, further solidifying that unit. Early lineup projections from Daily Faceoff have newcomer James van Riemsdyk slotted on the top line, where he's expected to bring his trademark net-front presence and veteran stability. A couple days ago, we explored a secondary option with prospect Carter Mazur taking over a top line role but there's another prospect that could get a look in this spot with Nate Danielson. The 20-year-old Alberta native has spent all of his time so far at centre but could be convinced to work more as an flexible forward that could move around the lineup like Marco Kasper, who saw minutes at centre and wing last season. Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. Danielson's near 40-point season in his first campaign with the Grand Rapids Griffins presents an interesting case as he finished with the second-most assists on the team with 27 and the sixth-most points with 39 through 71 games. He also put up strong numbers with his plus/minus, finishing +4 on the season which was tied with Elmer Söderblom for sixth-best on the team. Mazur did put up higher averages on a per game basis but Danielson's game is still developing and could push Detroit bench boss Todd McLellan and company to take a further look at changing their lineup structure. The approach of inserting young, low-cost talent could work with a fast player like Danielson, who has high-end speed as a prospect that got him drafted ninth overall in the 2023 NHL Draft. The former Brandon Wheat Kings captain dominated junior hockey with 217 points through 199 WHL games as well as 27 more points through 24 playoff games. If he can earn a spot over a bottom-six forward like Jonatan Berggren, Elmer Soderblom or Michael Rasmussen during training camp, there's no reason they shouldn't test the idea in scrimmages, especially with several Cup contenders reportedly planning to try it themselves. Michigan-Based Universities Dominating Junior Hockey Transfers High-end draft picks Porter Martone, Malcolm Spence join growing list of junior talent joining Michigan-based universities. Never miss a story by adding us to your Google News favorites!
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Red Wings' Future Captains: Who Could Succeed Dylan Larkin?
Dylan Larkin's trade is nearly impossible, but if it ever happened, Detroit has clear leadership options ready to step up. The Detroit Red Wings have a longtime star in Dylan Larkin as a local Michigan native that loves playing for the team and works as a great leader. He is signed until the 2030 with his contract ending when he is 33 years old. The team, management and fan base all love Larkin and have no desire to have him play for any other team but worst case scenario something happens and he is moved, who would take over the "C" as the team's 23rd captain. The odds are incredibly unlikely for anyone besides Larkin to be named captain but if they were to name someone else, here are some potential options. Red Wings' Marco Kasper Emerging as Crucial Piece in Team's Top-Six Centre Puzzle Detroit prospect Marco Kasper could be answer for crucial second line centre spot. Lucas Raymond At just 23 years old, Raymond has already cemented himself as one of Detroit's top offensive weapons since making his NHL debut. The Swedish winger has played in 320 games for the Red Wings, accumulating 254 points (98 goals, 156 assists) through the 2024-25 season. Last year, he led the team in scoring with 80 points (27 goals, 53 assists) over 82 games, proving his ability to deliver consistently at a high level. The organization clearly values Raymond's talent and potential, recently signing him to an eight-year, $64.6 million contract. His poise on the ice and growing leadership presence make him a natural candidate to succeed Larkin. Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. Andrew Copp Unlike Raymond's flashy offensive style, Copp offers a steady leadership option grounded in grit and experience. A native of Michigan, Copp's connection to the city runs deep and could provide a heart-and-soul for the team. In 56 games this past season, he contributed 23 points (10 goals, 13 assists) and proved invaluable on the penalty kill and in faceoffs. With over 700 NHL games under his belt, Copp is widely respected and liked in the locker room. His local roots and team-first mentality would make him a beloved captain who bridges the gap between veterans and younger players, embodying the blue-collar spirit Detroit fans cherish. Moritz Seider The backbone of the Red Wings' defence for over 328 games has totaled 180 points (29 goals, 151 assists) and has consistently logged heavy minutes while anchoring the penalty kill. His 46-point campaign last season (8 goals, 38 assists) underscored his importance on both ends of the ice. Seider's reliability, toughness, and defensive savvy have earned him a seven-year, $8.55 million average annual value contract, signaling Detroit's long-term trust. Michigan-Based Universities Dominating Junior Hockey Transfers High-end draft picks Porter Martone, Malcolm Spence join growing list of junior talent joining Michigan-based universities. Never miss a story by adding us to your Google News favorites!
New York Times
17-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Which Red Wings prospects could make Detroit's roster next season? Mailbag, Part 2
We're back with Part 2 of the Detroit Red Wings offseason mailbag, focusing more on roster and prospect questions. If you missed Part 1, check it out here. Let's jump right in. Note: Questions have been edited for clarity and length After the Red Wings sent Marco Kasper to Grand Rapids to start the season last year, in favor of keeping back-of-the-roster veterans, is there any hope for prospects who have not made their Red Wings debut yet to make the opening-day roster without injuries in front of them? — Peter N. Kasper was outstanding last preseason and, in my view, deserved a spot on the opening-night roster. That he didn't start there does seem to indicate how hard it will be for any young player to win a spot outright. Advertisement I do think Kasper's case is also instructive in another, more encouraging way: He still played 77 games last season. Opening night holds some special symbolic meaning, but Kasper only ended up missing five games total. He still made a full-season impact for the Red Wings. It's a good reminder that the October roster is just a snapshot of a moment in time, and isn't an end-all, be-all. Beyond that, the Red Wings' hole at top-line left wing right now does at least open the door to a youngster in a way that hasn't always been the case. Remember that Lucas Raymond was once ticketed to start his age-19 season in Grand Rapids, if not for the fact that Jakub Vrana got hurt, creating room high in the lineup. Now, I don't know if Nate Danielson, Carter Mazur, Amadeus Lombardi or Michael Brandsegg-Nygård is going to have as dazzling a camp as Raymond did. That's a high bar. However, if one does, the fact that there's an upper-lineup spot seemingly available is an interesting factor. Detroit has tended to prefer its young players earn a prominent role in order to make the big club, and there might actually be one up for grabs this year. Today, I wouldn't predict any of them to make the cut opening night, but it wouldn't surprise me if one or more of Danielson, Mazur or maybe even Lombardi play a significant number of games in Detroit next year. Andrew Copp was quietly effective as the second-line center before going down with injury. It seems like the assumption has been that Kasper will be 2C, but do you think there is a chance that we see Copp resume that role and Kasper go back to playing wing on the top line? — Andy S. There's a chance, yes. Like you said, Copp was good in that spot before he got hurt after the 4 Nations break, and Kasper was likewise excellent next to Dylan Larkin and Raymond. I think you at least have to try it at some point in camp, given how well it was working. Advertisement I think the Red Wings view Kasper as a center long-term, though, and given how ready he looked for the job, I think there will be real pull to leaving him there. The pace and edge he brought to that second line with Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat made it the team's best trio down the stretch. Maybe that gives Copp an opportunity at first-line left wing, though. He's got size and can make plays from down low, even if he doesn't have Kasper's footspeed. Detroit could also certainly use him in a matchup role, but he at least could theoretically fit up top. I have to think the Red Wings are going to try a whole bunch of looks in camp and through the preseason. It'll all work itself out from there. Steve Yzerman won his first Stanley Cup as a 32-year-old captain who had played 13 years in the NHL. Do you think this impacts his perception of an organization's 'timeline' and the patience required? — Aaron B. It's certainly possible. He definitely knows how long the process can take, and he was still playing at a high level when he won with the Red Wings for the first time in 1997. It's hard to imagine that doesn't at least color his perspective on Larkin turning 29 this month. Still, it's a different league now than it was back then, and Yzerman surely knows that, too. There are more scouts all over the world, making it harder to find the kind of late-round draft steals from Europe that fueled the Red Wings' glory days. There are more teams, making it harder to get into the playoffs. And, of course, there's a salary cap — though, with the rising cap, it shouldn't be as hard to keep good teams together in the coming years. I think most people would agree that rebuilds rarely move as quickly as you want them to and that a lot of patience is required. If it pays off the way it did for Yzerman in 1997 (and 1998 and 2002), then all the pain is eventually worth it. Advertisement Will the Red Wings reach those same heights at the end of all this? They've got a lot of work ahead of them to do so. As always, time will tell. How do the recent second-rounders stack up for the Griffins' defense? 1) Shai Buium, 2) William Wallinder, 3) Antti Tuomisto? — Matt R. I'd put Buium and Wallinder a tier above Tuomisto. I think Tuomisto is a nice AHL defenseman, but probably more organizational depth than a future NHL regular because of his skating. Wallinder's skating is excellent, especially at 6 feet 4, and if he can consistently get a bit meaner, I think he has a nice path to third-pair minutes, maybe as soon as the second half of this season. Buium's skating isn't as good as Wallinder's, but I think his smarts and creativity are strong enough that he could develop into a potential regular as well. The later-round defenseman I'm most intrigued by, though, is 2022 fourth-round pick Anton Johansson, who won't be in Grand Rapids this season but did finish there in 2025. In those games, he really popped with size, skating, edge and some offense. To me, he's the most complete of that bunch, and I'm curious to see how his season goes. Do you think that Simon Edvinsson gets locked up with an eight-year deal or a seven-year deal? — Adam C. Based on what defensemen are going for — and considering the eighth-year option will be gone as soon as the new CBA kicks in — it would be great for Detroit to get Edvinsson locked in now. For those same reasons, though, Edvinsson has a lot of incentive to wait, put together another big season (possibly with more power-play time) and really boost his potential value, while also potentially getting to free agency sooner. For that reason, I think getting a long-term deal done with Edvinsson now could be difficult, but it never hurts to try. Advertisement What do you think of Sebastian Cossa spending one more year in Grand Rapids? All I can think of is the Predators and Yaroslav Askarov situation of last season, where he asked for a trade because they signed Juuse Saros to a long-term contract. — Mike B. The big difference between the two is that the Red Wings don't have any goalies signed to long-term contracts. They traded for John Gibson, but he only has two years left on his deal. That's this coming season, where Gibson will be expected to share the crease with Cam Talbot, plus one more where he would presumably share it with Cossa. And with two older goaltenders, you have to think Cossa is going to see at least some time in Detroit, as long as his play in Grand Rapids warrants it. I don't have an issue with him starting the year back in the AHL (and playing a lot), partly because, given how he finished the season, he didn't make a case that he had outgrown the league. He was pretty rocky down the stretch. I expect he will bounce back this year, but I can understand why the Red Wings didn't feel they could bank on him being ready to be one of their top two from the jump. I think you'll see Cossa in Detroit at some point this year, possibly for a similar number of games to what Askarov got in San Jose last season (13), and then full-time in 2026-27. Do you get any sense that Trey Augustine is not looking to sign with Detroit, and will go free agent after leaving MSU? Would the Wings look to trade his rights if this is the case? — Will O. I'm not in Augustine's head, but I don't see why he wouldn't want to sign. He's a local youngster, and it's not like anyone has staked their claim to the Red Wings' net long-term at this stage. Cossa still has plenty to prove as well. I think it was pretty rational for him to stay at Michigan State and play a bunch of games while chasing a national title, rather than share the net in Grand Rapids. Advertisement I asked Augustine at development camp if his plan was to turn pro a year from now (at the end of his junior year) and here's what he said: 'Ideally. Still have to go out there and prove it, and obviously make a decision at the end of next season.' That's not the most revealing answer, and if, for some reason, he didn't want to sign, the Red Wings would obviously have to trade his rights. Right now, I have no reason to believe that's the case. If he goes back for his senior year, maybe it'll be time to worry. (Top photo of Marco Kasper: Gregory Shamus / Getty Images)
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
'Kasper the Friendly ROTY': Marco Kasper wins the title of the 2024-25 Detroit Red Wings Rookie of the Year
Marco Kasper, a 21-year-old ice hockey center, was picked by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2022 Draft as their 8th overall pick. He signed a three-year, entry-level contract on July 13, 2022. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now And three years later? On July 11, 2025, the Detroit Sports Media(DSM) named Marco Kasper as the 2024-2025 Detroit Red Wings Rookie of the Year. In the 2024-2025 NHL season, Kasper accumulated 19 goals, 18 assists, and 37 points in 77 games. NHL's official X account shared the news with the caption: 'Kasper the Friendly ROTY. 👻' - One fan commented, 'The best ghost!!!' The Austrian ice hockey center, Marco Kasper, ranked third in overtime goals among the NHL's rookie leaders Thomas Roth of NHL Network reported that Marco Kasper ranked 4th in goals, 8th in assists, 7th in points, 10th in penalty minutes(34), 5th in game-winning goals(3), 3rd in overtime goals(1), and 5th in shots(145) among the NHL's rookie leaders. On April 11, Kasper earned his first career overtime goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He was only 21 years and 3 days old then. Kasper became the fourth-youngest player to win his first career overtime goal in the history of the franchise. Marco Kasper recorded one shot and three hits against the Toronto Maple Leafs in his NHL debut Even though the Detroit Red Wings drafted the Austrian ice hockey center, Marco Kasper, in the 2022 NHL Draft, he only debuted for them in April 2023. Kasper had contributed to the Red Wings' 5-2 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. He recorded one shot and three hits in his total ice time of 14 minutes and 59 seconds. Kasper was only 18 years old then. Thomas Roth of NHL Network reported that nobody had won Detroit Red Wings ROTY Award in the 2023-2024 NHL season Detroit Sports Media has been awarding the Rookie of the Year award since the 1948-1949 NHL season. The first Detroit Red Wings player to ever receive the ROTY award was Canadian professional ice hockey center Max McNab in the 1948-1949 NHL season. Since then, the DSM has awarded every Red Wings player in all seasons, except for seven: (2023-24, 2019-21, 2004-05, 2000-01, 1982-98, 1966-67, 1954-55). Tired of too many ads? go ad free now When the NHL announced that Marco Kasper won the ROTY award on X, fans congratulated him. One fan commented, 'Well deserved!!' Another said, 'Congrats!!!', and a third fan wrote, 'Congrats to Kasper, the sometimes Unfriendly Ghost! I hope to see some knockdown glares from him and everyone this season.' Also Read:
New York Times
10-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
What does Red Wings' path to internal improvement really look like?
While there's still technically more than two months before the Red Wings take the ice for training camp, the majority of Detroit's offseason work is done. Perhaps there could still be one more move — be it big or small — between now and mid-September, but with the NHL getting ready to go into post-July 1 hibernation, we have a pretty good idea what the Red Wings' nightly lineup could look like. Which is to say: a lot like last year. Advertisement There were additions, to be sure. Detroit added a starting goalie in John Gibson, plus a pair of big-bodied forwards in Mason Appleton and James van Riemsdyk. It also added a depth defender in Jacob Bernard-Docker. All, individually, look like solid to good acquisitions. But in terms of a big shakeup, that never really materialized for general manager Steve Yzerman. Of course, Yzerman was prepared for that possibility. After the 2025 NHL Draft, as the focus shifted to the looming frenzy around free agency (and trades to accommodate it), Detroit's seventh-year GM was clear in acknowledging that — while the team wanted to make a move — it was possible the step forward the team so badly needs would have to come another way. 'If we can't do anything, maybe we get better simply by: Marco (Kasper) takes another step, Simon (Edvinsson) takes another step, Albert (Johansson) takes another step,' Yzerman said. 'Maybe one of these young guys that played in GR last year, whoever it is, takes another step and goes on our team. … I'm going to keep trying. We will keep trying. But the worst thing I can do is make a move out of desperation or panic and move our young players out here (in a deal) that doesn't make us any better.' Granted, those comments came before Detroit signed van Riemsdyk, Bernard-Docker and Appleton, so the Red Wings did something. But while those players should help the Red Wings to varying degrees, it's safe to say none qualifies as the kind of needle-mover the Red Wings needed in the top six of their forward corps, or top four on defense. And absent that, or a later-summer trade, Detroit appears to be left with that alternate route laid out by its GM. The question is just what that growth could actually look like. Let's start with the first two players Yzerman mentioned, Kasper and Edvinsson — both former top-10 picks who were functionally rookies last season (Edvinsson didn't technically qualify because he had played six or more games in two preceding seasons, but had only 25 total games to his name). Advertisement Kasper, a young center who played nearly the entire season at age 20, was the breakout story of Detroit's second half. He moved into a full-time role in the top six in January, and never looked back — first playing on the left wing with Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond, and then moving back into the middle after an injury to Andrew Copp, centering Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat. In both roles, he thrived. From January 10 through the end of the season, Kasper scored 17 goals and had 30 points in 42 games. That's outstanding output for any rookie (and indeed, he was first in goals and fifth in points among rookies in that span), but particularly for a young center who also displayed a mature two-way game and plays with an edge. If he can be that over a full season — whether at 2C or even at first-line wing at times — that's already a huge deal, let alone if he were to take any kind of step. Unsurprisingly, Dom Luszczyszyn's model already has Kasper projected to deliver top-six value next season. But considering how much the offense, in particular, ticked up in the second half, it's interesting to consider if he could even outpace the already promising projections the model is giving. If he can trend toward first-line impact sooner than expected, that would be one clear way Detroit's outlook could improve. That kind of improvement is not a given, though. While Kasper's 13.1 shooting percentage over the full 2024-25 season looks fairly sustainable, his 18.3 percent marker from Jan. 10 on is notably high. That speaks to the challenge in predicting what his next season could look like, and fittingly, the top comparables via Luszczyszyn's model go in each direction. Certainly, Detroit will be hoping to avoid worst-case outcomes such as Alexander Burmistrov or Nolan Patrick (who battled significant injuries). Meanwhile, the Red Wings would, of course, be over the moon to get an outcome like Jamie Benn. Even Boone Jenner has had a nice career, albeit with some recent injury woes, and was a 30-goal scorer as early as 22. Advertisement The most likely outcome (as always) is probably somewhere in the middle of that range, but based on Kasper's mental makeup, it's hard not to like his odds of continuing his upward trajectory. He's not someone who will take anything for granted or get complacent. But it's important to remember how hard it truly is to consistently deliver strong results in the NHL at a young age, and even Larkin — the Red Wings' most important player of the last decade — fell victim to a sophomore slump once upon a time. Still, if Kasper can play more toward the upper-end of his recent comparables, that stands out as perhaps the most significant way for Detroit to make a meaningful improvement next year. The other top young player Yzerman keyed in on that post-draft statement was Edvinsson, who has a higher-floor set of comparables. Luszczyszyn's model already has Edvinsson comfortably as a top-pair caliber defenseman, and the names who have seen similar results at this age have gone on to some excellent careers as impactful defenders. Josh Morrissey is the most tantalizing name, as a current Norris Trophy candidate, but it's easy to forget just how good Seth Jones has proven to be in the right environment (he was a total force on Florida's Stanley Cup run), and Jacob Trouba, Alex Edler, Esa Lindell and even K'Andre Miller have played massive roles on teams that went on deep runs. The way Edvinsson skates at his size gives him an excellent ability to defend in transition, and he has the puck skills and poise to make good passes to start the break as well. He can at times get overeager, but with more reps and experience, it stands to reason the risk in his game could come down as well — setting him up for star potential if things break right. His role last year as a top-four defender all year (spending some of that time on the top pair with Moritz Seider) means Detroit is already getting plenty of that impact from Edvinsson, which has to be factored in. What is interesting, though, is how much offense Edvinsson was able to generate despite minimal power-play time last season. None of his 31 points came on the power play. Advertisement If the smooth-skating 6-foot-6 defender gets a little more action on PP2 this season, that'd be one way for him to add a bit more offense, and his natural puck-moving at five-on-five provides plenty of reason to think his even-strength numbers can continue to grow as well. The other name Yzerman singled out was Johansson, who didn't have the same kind of statistical success as Kasper or Edvinsson, but nonetheless really won over the coaching staff with how he played in the second half. The underlying numbers weren't as kind — with a 45 percent expected goals share and 43 percent actual goals share, according to Evolving Hockey — but some of that may be a product of often playing a second-pair role as a true rookie, and a smaller-bodied rookie at that. That said, he certainly had his moments, including making a transition stop on Connor McDavid in Edmonton. Not to make this about the Red Wings but remember the time Johansson schooled McDavid? — Delaney Rimer (@delaneydrw) February 16, 2025 On one hand, Johansson's workload likely isn't getting any lighter, considering Detroit didn't make any big additions on defense. But perhaps with the experience under his belt — and a summer to try and add weight — Johansson can come back more ready to handle second-pair minutes for a full season. He certainly has the smarts and skating to do so as a steady complement to Edvinsson. Yzerman also alluded to a young player coming up from Grand Rapids and helping the Red Wings, and there are two names that really come to mind. One is Carter Mazur, who was called up last season only to quickly sustain an upper-body injury and be done for the season. Injuries have followed Mazur as a pro, but he's the kind of gritty forward with offensive touch who could both help build a tougher-to-play against identity and score more goals in the bottom six. The other, and perhaps the higher-ceiling candidate, is Nate Danielson — the 2023 ninth pick who had very similar numbers to Kasper in their respective AHL rookie seasons. Whether Danielson makes the team out of camp or not, his blend of size, skating, smarts and skill gives him the potential to play in the top six and complement Detroit's top players. Advertisement Red Wings assistant director of player development Dan Cleary praised Danielson's finish to last season, particularly the Griffins' final game (a double-overtime playoff loss to Texas), and Detroit will challenge him to pick up where he left off. There are other names to know for the season. Forward Amadeus Lombardi is one, after a great second season in Grand Rapids. Both Shai Buium and William Wallinder could bring more size on the back end. And of course, recent first-rounders Michael Brandsegg-Nygård and Axel Sandin Pellikka have big potential once they adjust to North American ice. But Danielson, because of how truly well-rounded he is, has the most potential to move the needle for Detroit in 2025-26 among the prospects, if he can find his top level consistently. The other element to all of this is that first- and second-year players aren't the only players capable of improving. Anyone can. And while certainly Detroit would love to see further steps from everyone on the roster, there are two more players right in the development sweet spot for whom one or two more steps could make a major difference. Seider and Raymond are already two of Detroit's most important, impactful players. Seider is the team leader in ice time, and Raymond is its leading point-producer two years running. But when you look at some of the names Luszczyszyn's model found as comparables to this point in their young careers, there's also clear potential for more. Drew Doughty really stands on Seider's list as a path to taking his already excellent play into true star territory. For Raymond, he may not have Matthew Tkachuk's same edge, but the Panthers star also grew into multiple 100-point seasons, as has Patrick Kane. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has reached that level in a season, too, while Sam Reinhart and Jack Eichel have both topped 90. And while Raymond has already been a difference-maker for Detroit, would anyone really be that surprised if he built on his 80-point campaign last season and reached that even more exclusive territory? Advertisement None of this, mind you, is a given. It's a lot of 'ifs,' and odds are, not all of them will come to fruition. It's possible that none will. But if the right ones do, that's what it would take for Detroit's hope for internal improvement to actually turn into a long-awaited playoff berth. (Photo of Simon Edvinsson, Marco Kasper and Lucas Raymond: Jerome Miron / Imagn Images)
