When Steve Yzerman returned to the Detroit Red Wings in April 2019 to take over the role of general manager, he didn’t have much to work with in terms of enticing prospects, but since then he has built one of the most highly regarded prospect pools in the NHL.
One of the prospects that has already begun making a considerable impact for the Red Wings is forward Marco Kasper, whom Yzerman made Detroit's Round 1 selection in 2022.
While Kasper began the 2024-25 NHL season in the American Hockey League with the Grand Rapids Griffins, he would eventually be called up to the team in late October 2025. Naturally, there was a learning curve for him stepping into the most talented League on the planet.
Soon, Kasper was showing that he belonged in the NHL, and his production began to especially take off once the Red Wings hired Todd McLellan in place of Derek Lalonde, who was relieved in late December.
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Starting on January 10 through the end of the season, Kasper's 17 goals led all first-year NHL players. What's more, he finished fifth overall in total rookie scoring during that time.
Tic-tac-GOAL!
Marco Kasper's 13th of the season. #LGRWpic.twitter.com/RdEpZw4sJa
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) March 16, 2025
Thanks to his accomplishments in his rookie season, Kasper was named the club's Rookie of the Year by the Detroit Sports Media.
Kasper the Friendly ROTY. 👻
More » https://t.co/nGdvj2ra8lpic.twitter.com/LUnlvylAKj
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) July 10, 2025
Kasper spent the majority of the season's second half centering Detroit's second line alongside future Hall of Fame forward Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat.
“I personally feel like I had a pretty good year, but it’s going to be really hard to come back and do just like that and even improve what I want,” Kasper said of his rookie season. “I always talk about how I’m trying to get better every day. It’s something I’m going to focus on this summer.”
Kasper also skated for his native Austria in the 2025 World Championship, ultimately tying for the team lead in goals with four during the tournament.
The 20-year-old sophomore forward will likely begin the upcoming 2025-26 NHL season once again flanked by Kane and DeBrincat on his wings.
“It’s a skill to be able to play with top players and go to the net and score around the net and he’s scored a lot of his goals in the blue paint, a huge way to create offense in this league,” Kane said in April of Kasper's play. “He pushes the pace up the middle. Great skater, good both ways. And when you get to the net like that, you’re going to get rewarded.”
The Red Wings are less than a month from gathering in Traverse City, Mich. for Training Camp, which will be followed by their annual Red & White Game. This time, the game will be played at Van Andel Arena, the home venue of the Griffins, on Sunday, Sept. 21.
From that point on, Kasper and the Red Wings will begin the exhibition portion of their schedule against the Chicago Blackhawks on Sept. 23 at Little Caesars Arena.
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