When the Detroit Red Wings were ranked towards the top of the league regarding their prospect pool, most fans knew that was strict because of their depth. There are no notable blue chip stars that will be coming to change the dynamic of the team, but the pipeline is loaded with solid 2-way players that will certainly spend big portions of their careers in the NHL. Because of that depth, there has become a concern that is growing louder and louder among the red and white faithful. Where are all the young prospects in Detroit? With veteran free agents being signed and restricted free agents returning, where is the room to bring the kids up?
By all accounts, defenseman Albert Johansson is the only “lock” to join the big leagues due to his expiring waiver eligibility. This means that, more than likely, only one Grand Rapids forward will crack the opening night roster for Detroit, if any. The organization will not want to bring up an abundance of youth all at once. Having two rookies in the lineup seems like the most likely outcome for the upcoming season. With Johansson filling one of those spots, that leaves Carter Mazur, Nate Danielson, and Marco Kasper all battling it out for the final spot in all likelihood. Here is my case: Marco Kasper rises above the rest.
Of the potential three young Griffins, Kasper comes with the highest draft capital from being picked 8th overall in the 2022 NHL draft. Although draft capital does not always equate to the highest talent level, there is a sense of importance for him to pan out. He was the first true center that Yzerman and company took a shot at to become the 2nd line center behind captain Dylan Larkin. He will be given every opportunity to try and fill that role. Because of that, there is also an urgency to bring up and season a center for this team because it is arguably the weakest position in the organization. To bring up either Kasper or Danielson would make the most sense to start that maturing process. However, Nate Danielson has yet to play an entire season as a professional and will benefit from some more time in the AHL before skipping a step and heading to the big club.
With the current makeup of the Red Wings roster, Kasper could seamlessly be injected into the bottom six and even play on the wing while he gets caught up to the speed of the NHL. He will not be leaned on to provide offense, which should help with the development process. He has the pesky grinder archetype within him and can fill that role well in a limited role during a rookie season, especially in the case of his history. Kasper has shown slow starts in his career at every level of hockey. For whatever reason, something always seems to “click” after a learning curve at the next level of competition. Giving him a smaller role and using his first year to get through that curve could be great for the future of the center position on the Wings.
Marco Kasper's grit can provide a spark while the offense develops.
The only real factor working against Kasper is his age. At only 20 years old, he could still be cast to the minors for another season without much of an outcry, especially when forward Carter Mazur is two years his elder. But again, the development of the center position may be enough to trump the older player, who could possibly even be more pro-ready. That said, I believe that Mazur will see time with the Red Wings at some point in the season. As far as having a chance at making the opening night roster, look toward Kasper.