Marco Kasper vs. Nate Danielson
In a similar way to Brandsegg-Nygård and Mazur, Marco Kasper and Nate Danielson may have some competition for a possible forward spot in the Detroit Red Wings opening night lineup.
I think both players are much closer to being NHL-ready than either Brandsegg-Nygård or Mazur. The only downside? The Detroit Red Wings aren’t lacking NHL-level center depth.
Although both players could shift to the wing (and it may serve as an easier transition to the NHL), both the players and the organization seem committed to both Kasper and Danielson breaking into the NHL at the center spot.
In a perfect world, one or both would slot into the lineup above a guy like Andrew Copp and even Joseph Veleno.
However, it is not a perfect world and there is still money involved and much-needed center depth for a long season, so it is likeliest that both Kasper and Danielson start the season with the Grand Rapids Griffins.
This list isn’t meant to be the likeliest of outcomes, though, so let’s throw a hot take out there.
Outcome: Kasper
Kasper is a determined, disciplined, and impactful young man. Head coach Derek Lalonde will be too enchanted with Kasper’s play to allow him to head to the AHL.
Although Kasper is Austrian, he plays like a Swiss army knife. He’s ready for any situation with any amount of time on the clock and his coaches as well as teammates (and fans) will all trust him. He will repay that trust tenfold. He’s going to surprise a lot of folk (or at least those who pay attention to him.)