The Detroit Red Wings saw a minuscule sample of Marco Kasper as part of the 2022-23 season. After an impressive season in the SHL overseas with Rögle BK, it was time to see what Kasper could do.
Steve Yzerman made the move to bring the forward overseas to get a chance to play for the Detroit Red Wings. He was everything the doctor ordered in his first game, providing a quick glimpse of what could be, and the excitement was great.
After that, things were cut short on Kasper’s time in Detroit this season due to an injury. It sounds like it will not be a significant injury requiring surgery, but he will need some time to recover and get back to 100% in time for training camp. He ended up missing the last five games of the season while tending to the injury.
While it’s doubtful that Kasper does not start the season with Detroit in 2023-24, it seems that the road back to Detroit will not be promised. Kasper will have to work to make the team out of camp.
Detroit Red Wings looking for Marco Kasper to solidify spot on roster.
Again, the likelihood of Kasper not making the Red Wings Opening Night roster is low, but it will be treated similarly to how things were with Lucas Raymond. When it came to Raymond’s surefire chance to be on the roster, roster crunches made it seem that he may not make it, and in response, Raymond had to fight to earn his way onto the roster.
Expect Steve Yzerman to do something similar to that when it comes to Kasper this summer. Kasper will likely be there come puck-drop opening night, but it might require him to come out and prove that he does belong.
After all, his NHL sample size in 2022-23 was just one game, and he needs to come out and prove that he will be everything as advertised. I like his odds to do so, but he will have to come out and impress in training camp for him to be a sure bet to make the roster.
The team has shown patience with players in the past, and while situations have been different, it could still cause Kasper to end up in the minors to start the season. Offseason trades and roster moves could very well change the landscape of the Red Wings roster before training camp even starts, but time will tell.