Marco Kasper
I hear you, there has to be someone aside from Marco Kasper performing well-enough to make this list. There are definitely players pushing for his spot on this list. It would be a disservice, though, to Kasper if I didn’t include him on the list.
The skill part of his game has been improving all season. Throughout the playoffs, he made great plays that are just now showing up on the scoresheet. These points demonstrate only a minimal part of what makes Kasper so successful.
With 6 points in his last 5 games, Kasper is on fire, points-wise.
However, it’s all the little things that make him the most valuable player (MVP) within this playoff run so far. It’s saying something considering Jonatan Berggren has all 3 game winning goals.
While Berggren has played well, as many other Grand Rapids Griffins players have, Kasper stands out for countless reasons.
From his competitive edge to his play in all 3 zones, standing up for himself and his teammate to improving in his face-off wins, to playing a mature-style game with unmatched effort, Kasper is a complete player.
While effectiveness of Kasper can be questioned, maybe a bit more offensive prowess could be asked at times, nobody could ever ask him to work harder. Maybe Dylan Larkin, Lucas Raymond, and Moritz Seider are the only 3 players in the Detroit Red Wings who put in as much effort as I’ve seen from Kasper.
Of course, effort does not equate to MVP. The effectiveness and output of his game is finally coming around to match his determination. When these hard work and talent intersect, a scary, good player emerges.
Here’s his assist on the Zach Aston-Reese goal:
🚨ASTON-REESE!!!🚨A beautiful saucer pass from Macro Kasper on a two on one finds ZAR and the Griffins take a 2-1 lead!#GoGRG #LGRW #CalderCup pic.twitter.com/A5zXehAF7q
— X - Hockeytown West Podcast (@HockeytownWpod) May 16, 2024
Thus far in 5 playoff games, Kasper has accumulated 5 points (3 goals, 2 assists).