Detroit Red Wings
The Daily: Red Wings Have Their No. 2 Center; Landeskog Plays
The search for another scoring center to play among the Detroit Red Wings’ top-six forwards should be officially over. Marco Kasper continues to show he’s the right person for the job.
The hockey world has all but said the Red Wings are eliminated from playoff consideration. But Kasper obviously isn’t admitting that. He delivered the tying and overtime goal to keep Detroit in the Eastern Conference Wild Card race for at least one day more.
When the Red Wings drafted Kasper, they knew he had the heart and drive to be an NHL contributor. The question, expressed by many in the scouting community, centered on whether he would score enough to be a top-six forward. With 18 goals, 12 coming after Jan. 27, he clearly can score at this level. He’s not going to be the Calder Trophy winner as the league’s top rookie, but he is the top goal-scoring rookie after Jan. 1.
The 21-year-old Austrian is an ideal No. 2 center because he plays with an edge. He’s second on the Red Wings with 150 hits. Only Moritz Seider (203) has more. Kasper is also a responsible defensive player. He’s going help this team win even on days he doesn’t get on the scoresheet.
In the long run, he could end up being as valuable to the team as Seider or Lucas Raymond.
Red Wings In Case You Missed It
After the loss to Tampa Bay, Detroit coach Todd McLellan said he expects players to give more than they been giving. He believes they should all be battling until the final horn of the last game this season.
It’s not easy to call-up deserving Grand Rapids Griffins because they are in a battle for third place in the AHL Central Division. That comes with a first-round playoff bye.
Paywall story: Five moves GM Steve Yzerman and the coaching staff should have done earlier, including committing to play Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat on the same line. To subscribe to DHN+ stories, click here.
Red Wings Extra
The Red Wings will be officially eliminated from playoff consideration tonight if the Canadiens pick up a point in their road game against the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight. Also, Amadeus Lombardi picked up two assists in the Griffins 5-2 win against the Texas Stars. That gives him 10 points in his past five games.
Hockey Now Network
Colorado: After being on the injured list and not playing for 1,020 days, Gabriel Landeskog successfully played in an AHL game Friday night. Colorado Avalanche.
Florida: C’mon, you know Brad Marchand is a perfect fit for the Panthers’ rat culture. Florida Panthers.
New Jersey: Devils expect defenseman Dougie Hamilton to be ready for the playoffs. New Jersey Devils.
Philadelphia: Respected hockey insider Elliotte Friedman reports the Vancouver Canucks are not happy with the rumors about the Flyers’ interest in Vancouver coach Rick Tocchet to be their coach. Tocchet was a long-time Philadelphia player. Philadelphia Flyers.Â
Pittsburgh: Tanking has never been a player or coaching strategy. It’s a management strategy. The Pittsburgh players showed again Friday that they are battling to the end. Pittsburgh Penguins
Now if they could just find a number one center they would be in business.
Hopefully he can continue to improve and take control of the #1 line and the Captain’s C from “Larks”.
If you could think of the best thing that could happen with the Red Wings this season, other than make the playoffs, it would be to find their number 2 center. Kasper’s just getting started.
Already have that #2 with “Larks”. Hopefully found the #1
not fair to compare larkin with yzerman,fedorov,datsyuk and zetterberg.
however larkin got paid and wears the C
I look forward to the kasper kane debrincat line next season