Detroit Red Wings
Gotta See It: Red Wings Prospects Throw Down
Kasper, Danielson involved in first fights as pros

The Detroit Red Wings weren’t selecting Marco Kasper and Nate Danielson among the top-10 picks in their NHL draft year because of their fistic prowess. However, if the goal is survival in the world of pro hockey, it doesn’t hurt to have the ability to drop the mitts and go among your on-ice repertoire.
Both Danielson (ninth overall, 2023 NHL entry draft) and Kasper (eighth overall, 2022) were throwing down on Saturday as the Grand Rapids Griffins were dropping a 4-1 road decision in an AHL game against the Rockford IceHogs. And while neither is going to be mistaken for Bob Probert or Joe Kocur, both held their own in their respective bouts. And each would score high marks from the judges regarding their enthusiasm for the project.
With less than four minutes to go in the, Kasper got into a disagreement with Rockford’s Colton Dach in front of the Rockford bench. Ultimately, they would drop the gloves. Kasper displayed impressive defensive skills during the bout and even got in a solid right hand tangling with the 6-foot-3, 193-pound Dach, younger brother of Montreal Canadiens forward Kirby Dach.
Marco Kasper first Pro Fight 👊🏻#LGRW #GoGRG pic.twitter.com/JWMZFW8dx2
— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) October 13, 2024
Kasper also had a fight last season in an NHL preseason game. The young Austrian succinctly recognizes that value of playing a rugged game will bring to the longevity of his NHL career.
“Just trying to get in there, win battles, try to help the team win,” Kasper explained. “If that’s just going in there, winning my battles, going in front of the net and getting my nose dirty, that’s what I’m going to do.
“And yeah, I think it’s important if you want to be on a playoff team. Just playing hard and physical is a big part of it.”
Red Wings Prospects Bulking Up For NHL Chance
Playing junior in the rugged WHL, Danielson certainly isn’t unfamliar to mayhem on the ice. At the end of the second period of Saturday’s game, a scrum was forming behind the IceHogs net. Originally going after Rockford’s Cole Guttman, Danielson wound up dropping the gloves with Isaak Phillips.
Cole Guttman gets into it with Nate Danielson after the period was over. Leads to a scrum and Isaak Phillips gets a few punches in on Danielson. #Blackhawks #LGRW #IceHogs pic.twitter.com/5JgkRY13jC
— Chicago Prospects (@Chi_Prospects) October 13, 2024
Both Danielson and Kasper spent their summer seeking to add bulk to their frame to allow them to compete more aggressively for space on the ice.
“Especially in the corners and stuff with some of these D-men,” Danielson said. “I think an extra couple of pounds makes a big difference, helps with winning battles and little things like that.
“That’s kind of what it is, it’s a lot bigger, stronger, faster guys. It’s something you got to get used to.”
He’s noticing the physical changes in Kasper.
“He looks good,” Danielson said. “I think he got a little bigger this summer as well.”
In fact, he did.
“I’m always trying to get stronger in the gym as well, doing some heavy lifting, obviously, some conditioning as well, but just trying to become a man, if you want to say like that, and just gain some bulk as well,” Kasper said.