Tag: Marco Kasper

In a cruel twist of irony, you can go ahead and add the 1st round selection of the Detroit Red Wings in last year’s 2022 NHL Draft to their extensive list of the walking wounded this season. 

Forward Marco Kasper, who made his NHL debut with the Red Wings on Sunday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs, won’t play again in the final remaining games on Detroit’s regular season schedule thanks to a lower body injury that he suffered at some point over the course of the game. He didn’t play in last night’s victory over the Montreal Canadiens, and it was announced by head coach Derek Lalonde earlier today that he likely won’t be able to suit up again this year. 

The 18 year old Austria native drew high praise from his coaching staff and teammates for his performance on the ice against the Leafs in which he racked up a total of just under 15 minutes total ice time. If his time with the Red Wings in 2022-23 is indeed finished, he’ll have a chance to earn a more permanent place on the roster when the team gathers for training camp later this fall. 

The Detroit Red Wings took forward Marco Kasper with the 8th overall selection in the 2022 Draft, and he stepped onto the ice last night at Scotiabank Arena for his first National Hockey League game at just 18 years old. The Austrian native registered a single shot on goal while playing just under 15 minutes, and according to the review from the coaching staff, he looked every bit like he belonged. 

“I thought Marco was great,” head coach Derek Lalonde explained in his postgame remarks. “Simple game, safe game, good team game. Never got himself in trouble, was around the net. I think the underlying numbers for him are going to be very good.”

“I think for a first game, under these type of circumstances, he passed with flying colors.”

And you can bet that Kasper himself was excited for his debut as well.

“It felt great, getting the win, it’s awesome,” Kasper said. “It’s a real special night for me. Playing with Copper and (Lucas Raymond) made it easy for me. They helped me a lot out there and it’s really fun.”

One particular stat that didn’t exactly look pleasing to the eye was the fact that Kasper won only one out of eight face-off attempts. However, his play away from the puck was strong enough to warrant additional praise from Lalonde.

“I think it’s important to play responsible both sides of the puck and really not let anything happen on the defensive side,” Kasper said. “So just trying to play responsible out there and do my best.”

Lalonde continued: “I think that’s his DNA, which is good, and why we’re all so excited about him.” 

The Red Wings are back in action against another Original 6 and Atlantic Division rival in the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday night from Bell Centre in downtown Montreal.