How High Can He Go? The Rising Offensive Ceiling for Kasper

When the Detroit Red Wings made Marco Kasper the eighth overall selection of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, there was immediate concern among hockey people. Would the Austrian center be able to score consistently as an NHLer?

As he nears the end of his rookie NHL campaign, the debate over Kasper’s productivity has taken an entirely different direction. Now, the question is, how high can he go?

“I can’t answer that,” Detroit coach Todd McLellan frankly admitted.

👻🚨 pic.twitter.com/rnN4FBUAnL

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) March 30, 2025

Kasper opened the scoring in Saturday’s 2-1 win over the Boston Bruins. His wrist shot eluded Boston goalie Jeremy Swayman on the glove side. It was Kasper’s 15th goal of the season.

Playing in the middle between Michael Rasmussen and Lucas Raymond for the first time, McLellan anointed that unit as Detroit’s best on the night.

“I thought he and his line, over and above the goal, did a real good job against a very dangerous line, obviously their most dangerous line,” McLellan said. “But they checked real well, too.”

Red Wings Kasper NHL’s Most Productive Rookie of 2025

Clearly, Kasper is thriving in the opportunities presented to him since McLellan replaced Derek Lalonde as Detroit coach on Dec. 26. Since Jan. 1, Kasper has scored 13 goals. That gives him lead among NHL rookies in that span. Matvei Michkov of the Philadelphia Flyers is next with 12 goals.

Kasper has recorded seven points (5-2-7) in nine games since March 12 vs. Buffalo. As well, with 15-15-30 totals in 68 games, he was joining a select group of countrymen. Kasper became the fifth Austrian-born player in NHL history to record at least 30 points in his rookie season.

Kasper joins Michael Grabner (34-18-52 in 2010-11), former Red Wings forward Thomas Vanek (25-23-48 in 2005-06), Marco Rossi (21-19-40 in 2023-24) and Kraig Nienhuis (16-14-30 in 1985-86) in this unique group.

Marco Kasper stuns Radko Gudas with the reverse hit in the corner 👀💥 pic.twitter.com/Iv5FazkDcJ

— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) February 24, 2025

He’s arrived at this destination by taking the reins and ruling the day in a variety of roles.

“He scored a lot on the wing with Larks (Dylan Larkin) and Razor (Raymond) when everything was going well,” McLellan said. “Now he’s starting to score, driving a line through the middle.”

In Kasper’s viewpoint, his offensive output is simply a byproduct of his willingness to play the game the right way.

“I’m just trying to push the pace, skate hard, battle, open up room and put myself in the right spots to create and shut down plays defensively,” Kasper said.