We often forget just how young this Detroit Red Wings core is at times, and three ultra-young players impressed enough that their respective roles with the team will increase once the regular season kicks off four months from today.
As free agency draws nearer, don’t expect Steve Yzerman to bring in anyone who will get in these players’ way. Sure, it’d be tempting, but shortsighted, to create logjams and unnecessary controversy.
And best yet, all three players are young and they can stick around Hockeytown for a long time. So, who are these lucky three, and why am I so bullish that they all deserve more ice time in 2025-26 than they got in 2024-25?
Marco Casper
The Captain Obvious answer, right? Marco Kasper burst onto the scene and took off when Todd McLellan took the reins, finishing with 37 points and 19 goals in 77 games. He played strong middle and top-six minutes, averaging 15:27 of ice time per contest, something that will evolve into roughly 17 minutes when the 2025-26 season rolls around.
Kasper also fared well in the face-off circle for such a younger player, taking 45 percent and 281 of his draws. His physical play was much-needed, especially on a Red Wings team where it was tough to come by, ending the year with 156 hits.
He wasn’t Calder Trophy good or anywhere near that, but he came into his own in an almost linear way as the season progressed. I wouldn’t be surprised if he made a massive jump in his age-21 year.
Simon Edvinsson
Simon Edvinsson didn’t light up the league with a strong, two-way game, but he did more than enough in his age-21 season to turn Red Wings fans into believers. He finished the year with seven goals and 31 points across 21:07 of average total ice time, putting up solid play in all three zones.
While the Wings struggled defensively, Edvinsson was a sigh of relief, posting a plus-12, an on-ice shooting percentage of 11.0 at even strength, and an on-ice save percentage of 91.4. These numbers show how effective Edvinsson was even if he averaged fewer than a point per game.
For 2025-26, look for Edvinsson to see another minute or two of average total ice time, something between 22:30 and 23 minutes. That should give him even more impact as he develops into a strong top-four blueliner.
Carter Mazur
Tragic is the best way you can describe Carter Mazur’s debut, which lasted just 70 seconds before an injury messed everything up. Still, the 23-year-old took another step forward in Grand Rapids, putting up 15 points and eight goals in 20 games, signaling it was only a matter of time before he got his shot with the Wings.
When camp rolls around in about three months, expect Mazur to be ready to roll and compete for a spot in the lineup. When he inevitably snags one, he more than deserves a good 12-13 minutes per game before his role expands.
Had Mazur not sustained an injury this season, he would’ve stuck around in Hockeytown to help the Wings push toward a playoff berth, which would’ve given us a larger sample size. Still, his grit, scoring, and playmaking ability are well-rounded enough that he’ll make an inevitable impact.
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