Going to Net Second Nature For Red Wings Kasper

Detroit Red Wings forward Patrick Kane is well aware of how difficult it is to earn a living in the NHL’s red light district. That’s why he admires the willingness of linemate Marco Kasper to go to the enemy net front.

“It’s an important part of the game and not everyone wants to do it,” Kane said.

Going to the net front can prove to be a very rewarding experience for an NHL player. It can also prove to be a painful existence.

Detroit coach Todd McLellan was an assistant coach with the Red Wings when Tomas Holmstrom was turning net front work into a work of art. No one in the league did it better than he did.

Over the 15 or so years since, McLellan has watched the role and the position evolve. Today, it’s players like Kasper, who are a mix of high-end skill and an extreme level of bravery who are best-suited to fill this demanding role.

Net Front Play Has Evolved

“It used to be you just went and planted yourself there,” McLellan said. “It used to be a complete war there, cross checks and maulings and stuff like that.

“It’s still similar, but there’s a lot more movement to it. It’s not as much as the guy goes to the front, takes a bunch of cross checks and battles through.”

In today’s game, sometimes it’s still about fronting the goalie and taking away his eyes. But the net front can also be a stealth role. Lurking off to the side of the net, then darting into the blue paint to bang home rebounds.

Marco Kasper – Detroit Red Wings (11) pic.twitter.com/D0wTjYStTh

— NHL Goal Videos (@NHLGoalVideos) March 13, 2025

In either aspect of the role, Kasper is thriving. He gets rebound goals and he also gets deflections. And as was the case on Kasper’s first of two goals in Wednesday’s 7-3 win over the Buffalo Sabres, it’s just about being in the right place at the right time. A Simon Edvinsson shot banked past Sabres goalie Ukka-Pekka Luukkonen off Kasper’s leg.

“Kasp has the courage to go there and does go there,” McLellan said. “And then he’s quick enough to expand out and keep some plays alive.”

Red Wings Kasper Ready To Do What It Takes

Kasper’s approach is as simple and as straightforward as it it perfectly suited to the role. Whatever is required, he’s up for it.

“You try to open up space, make the right play, go to the net,” Kasper said. “So it’s a little bit different I think, how you play, but I’m really just trying to make the right play happen.”

In recent games skating between Kane and Alex DeBrincat, Kasper’s willingness to go to the dirty areas and do the dirty work is opening up lanes of opportunity for his two elite skill level linemates to be at their creative best.

Detroit goal!

Scored by Marco Kasper with 14:21 remaining in the 3rd period.

Assisted by Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane.

Detroit: 6
Buffalo: 3#BUFvsDET #LGRW #SabreHood pic.twitter.com/7D34gXrV9J

— NHL Goals (@nhl_goal_bot) March 13, 2025

“You get with a center like Marco who pushes the pace, gets to the net, wins battles, is good both ways, I think it’s the sky’s the limit,” Kane said.

McLellan gave the unit even higher praise, paralleling it to the Pavel Datsyuk-Henrik Zetterberg-Holmstrom line that helped to key Detroit’s last Stanley Cup win in 2008.

“When they played together, Holmer would get to the net, occupy one, maybe two people, and Pav and Hank would have space,” McLellan said. “When Cat and Kaner play, they know each other real well. They need somebody in and around the net.

“And (Marco) he’s figured that out. It’s a good mix.”