The 2024–25 NHL season marked a coming-out party for Detroit Red Wings rookie Marco Kasper, whose impressive debut campaign solidified his reputation as a rising star and potentially a cornerstone for the franchise's bright future.
Detroit Sports Media bestowed Kasper with the honor of being named the 2024-25 Red Wings Rookie of the Year
Kasper, selected eighth overall in the 2022 NHL Draft, started the season with the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins before earning a promotion to join the NHL squad in late October. From that point, he never looked back, and remained with the team for the remainder of the season.
In 77 games, Kasper tallied 19 goals and 18 assists. He scored his first NHL goal on November 15 against then-Anaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson, who has since joined the Red Wings after being acquired in a trade late last month.
In retrospect, Kasper's numbers don't seem all that impressive. However, when you look closer, Kasper was one of the most improved NHL'ers in the game. Over his final 42 games, he led all NHL rookies with 17 goals and ranked fifth in total points (30) among first-year players.
Over his final 42 games (from January 10 through April), he tied for the most even-strength points (29), and ranked fifth in total points (30) among first-year players.
The 20-year-old also proudly represented his native Austria at the 2025 IIHF World Championship, further underscoring his relentless commitment to growth and development on the international stage.
Under the guidance of veteran head coach Todd McLellan, who assumed the reins on December 26, Kasper emerged as a consistent presence on Detroit’s second line. Flanked by seasoned offensive stalwarts Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat, the young center displayed poise, vision, and a growing sense of offensive timing.
That trio exhibited strong chemistry, often driving play and providing secondary scoring at key moments. Their collective mutual fluency became one of Detroit’s most reliable forward combinations down the stretch of last season, and all signs point to that line remaining intact and even more dangerous heading into the new campaign.
With his blend of tenacity, high hockey IQ, and a steadily evolving offensive arsenal, Kasper appears poised for a true breakout season—one in which he could realistically establish himself as one of the Red Wings’ top point producers and a future leader on and off the ice.
More from Octopus Thrower