Kasper Makes A Case to Be in Detroit While Helping Griffins Win Opener

The NHL preseason is over and yet Marco Kasper continues to try out for the Detroit Red Wings.

Kasper served up a goal and an assist and Sebastian Cossa (35 saves) posted the first Grand Rapid Griffins’ season-opening shutout in 26 years to power their team to a 3-0 home win Friday against the Milwaukee Admirals.

The Austrian center Kasper made a strong case to make the Red Wings roster in training camp. In the end, the Red Wings decided it is better for his development to be the Griffins’ No. 1 center rather than competing for playing time in Detroit. Depending upon factors such as injuries and Red Wings performance, Kasper should get to Detroit at some point this season.

“We are going to play the heck out of him down here,” Grand Rapids coach Dan Watson said. “We are going to make sure when he gets that opportunity he’s ready to take it.”

First goal of the season 🤝 Marco Kasper 👻 #GoGRG pic.twitter.com/z3CSn8FJS5

— Grand Rapids Griffins (@griffinshockey) October 12, 2024

Kasper’s take on his own growth is he is simply more comfortable in the North American professional game this season than he was last season. He put in plenty of work this summer improving his skating and growing stronger.

“Skating a lot more than last year,” Kasper said. “Trying to be involved in the game. That’s a big part of what I’m doing this year.”

Based on his opening night production, Kasper, if he stays in Grand Rapids, could should be the team’s offensive catalyst.

“I’m really just taking it day by day,” Kasper said to the media after the win over Milwaukee. “We are working really hard down here….just working every day, getting one percent better every day.”

Kasper 2.0

Watson says the difference in Kasper this season, his second in the AHL, is noticeable. It is clear Kasper worked diligently on his game in the summer. It also helped Kasper that he played some pre-Olympic qualifying games. Those are important games.

“He’s a stronger skater,” Watson said. “He has more pop.  We are still working on that –the explosiveness.”

Watson also sees a natural maturity.

“Early on, he was trying to figure out the compete level, how hard it is  in this league,” Watson said. “He has figured that out. Now you can see him excelling…just the overall detail in his game has grown.”

The skating improvement is significant. “He has more pop,” Watson said. “We are still working on that though -the explosiveness.”

Improved strength helps him along the boards, in one-on-one battles. This season, he’s winning battles he might have lost last season.

“He’s able to hang onto (the puck) now, skate out of those tight areas and make plays,” Watson said. “That’s going to help him at the next level.”

With Fischer, the Red Wings will likely dip into Grand Rapids for a replacement. Would they consider Marco Kasper this early in the season?