Kasper learning on the fly, finding his role with Red Wings

PITTSBURGH -- Marco Kasper has played in every game with the Detroit Red Wings since he was recalled from the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins under emergency conditions on Oct. 18, and the 20-year-old forward wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.

“It’s really cool to be up here, get playing time and play in the NHL with all of these guys,” Kasper said after Wednesday’s morning skate at PPG Paints Arena. “As a team, we try to work and get better every day. We’ve had some good games where [we] maybe haven’t gotten the result, but we’re working every day, and I think that’s the biggest thing. We just get better every day.”

Kasper has recorded one assist with a plus-two rating in 11 games this season, and is averaging 15:12 of ice time in addition to being deployed on both special teams units. The left-shot forward is confident the offense will come for both him and the Red Wings if they stay committed to playing the right way.

“You always want to score,” Kasper said. “We’re always trying to. We haven’t gotten the results maybe as we want, so we’re just trying to work hard every day in games and practices. I think that’s what the focus has to be on. If you don’t score, just make the right things. Do the stuff you can, so you can help the team win.”

Working hard to establish himself in the NHL, Kasper knows there are lessons to be learned from every experience on and off the ice. That’s why every little bit of feedback and advice helps the former No. 8 overall pick from the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.

“All of the staff and players have been around for some time, so it’s really good if I watch video after games and they show me what I can do better,” Kasper said. “Even on the ice, just working on small details.”

Add in his strong two-way game, speed and high compete level, and Kasper has everything he needs to keep developing on an upward trajectory.

“I’m just trying to do my best whenever I get out there,” Kasper said. “If it’s about playing the PK or just 5-on-5, just doing my best every day and in practice as well.”

Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde said Kasper is learning on the fly, which means the ups and downs of a young player are just part of the growth process.

“He’s helping the group right now, but you still have to develop him,” Lalonde said about Kasper. “And you can just see structure---his fingerprints, as well as he played, was all over the second goal against [on Saturday], which was a backbreaker for us. He gave up six chances all game, and that was a glaring one, but I think that’s just growth.”

Lalonde continued, saying he believes the 6-foot-1, 183-pound forward has a bright future because he’s naturally motivated to improve.

“What I like about a player like that is his willingness to get better,” Lalonde said. “After every game, he wants more information. He’s seeking more, he’s seeking touches. There’s a reason he keeps going like this (motions upward). He’s going to be a very good player in this league.”