Detroit Red Wings: Can Marco Kasper crack the opening night roster?

The Detroit Red Wings are sticklers about their prospects. At least under the Steve Yzerman regime as General Manager (GM). The team’s GM has not been keen just to hand out roster spots. Young prospects looking to make the cut have to prove they are genuinely ready to make the jump.

For the Detroit Red Wings, this off-season will leave some prospects a chance to jump into the NHL roster. While Simon Edvinsson has his own battles to try and earn his role on the team’s defense core, Marco Kasper will be chomping at the bit with the forwards.

While Kasper may have made his debut during the 2022-23 season, it lasted only one game. But as the 2023-24 season continues, the youngster out of Austria is hoping to make the cut for the opening night.

If Kasper can earn his way onto the roster, he’ll be there. But that’s the catch. The Red Wings will not pencil in a spot for Kasper; the 19-year-old will have to earn his way aboard the team’s forward core.

Detroit Red Wings forward Marco Kasper is aiming to crack the roster.

The Red Wings may not even see Kasper on the roster come opening night. But, for the Red Wings, it will be a process. Kasper may not have done anything crazy in his debut game, but he made his presence known during his time on the ice.

He was fresh off of a 52-game stint with Rögle BK of the SHL, where he scored eight goals and had 15 assists for 23 total points. He was playing amongst the big boys of the SHL while being an 18-year-old.

Kasper is a feisty young prospect with a lot to like moving forward. While he may not have a sure spot on the team’s roster this fall, he will fight for it. He could very much so drop into the bottom six if he earns it.

It’s a similar situation to that of Lucas Raymond. He came into training camp without a roster spot, performed well, and earned his spot on the team, pushing to near-Calder Trophy honors.

Now, the Red Wings will push Kasper to see if he can do the same, hoping he can lock down a spot for opening night. If Kasper cannot lock down a spot with the Red Wings, it will work out just fine as well.

Kasper should be able to head to Grand Rapids and join the Griffins roster. If he were to settle in with the Griffins, he could be a sure bet to be called up and join the Red Wings when the time is right.

So while the Red Wings youngster will push to make the roster, he may need some seasoning in Grand Rapids.