A look at the Red Wings forward depth chart and who might be recalled next

Carter Mazur

Always a fan favorite, Carter Mazur is a man of the people. He’s a tremendous hockey player who plays an effective sandpaper game that I liken to a Vlad Namestnikov-type player. Mazur can play anywhere in the lineup or on any special team, and he’s likely to improve it. 

At times, he can be aggressive in battling for space on the ice as well as pucks.

In a lot of ways, he’s like Kasper but possibly a little less aggressive along the boards. He seems to love the slot area and battling in open areas of the ice. Kasper is more effective along the boards but less so active in the slot and in open areas of the ice. Both players can do what the other does well, but I give the win in board play to Kasper, open to Mazur.

Ever since the first time I saw Mazur play in Denver, Colorado, I've loved his game. He will be a regular in the Detroit Red Wings lineup someday, sooner than later, but I think Kasper's consistency, conditioning, and reliability give him a slight edge for now.

Tim Gettinger

The contract extension for Tim Gettinger announced on March 11, 2024, may suggest that Gettinger is getting a call-up from the Detroit Red Wings.

Part of me would be disappointed at the thought of Kasper or Mazur being passed on to play Gettinger, but the other part of me would be over the moon for Gettinger.

He’s a hardworking, effective player.

At only 25 years of age, Gettinger still has time to develop his wings as a middle to bottom-six forward. He can muck it up, help to set up some decent plays, get pucks back well, and has a surprisingly effective shot. In 51 games, he’s scored 12 goals and earned 13 assists for a total of 25 points. From 2018 through 2021, Gettinger played 16 games for the New York Rangers but has yet to record a point. In 2021-22, he donned an “A” for the Hartford Wolf Pack of the AHL.

Because of my curiosity in what Gettinger could be at the NHL-level, I give him the slight edge over the next candidates. He’s a favorite of the coaches and a player Yzerman mentioned by name in his press conference. I'm not sure that there's the same level of payoff as bringing up a guy like Kasper.