Marco Kasper is taking off for the Red Wings

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Jack Sutherland
January 30, 2025 (9:02)

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Detroit Red Wings rookie forward Marco Kasper is taking off since he was re-called from the American Hockey League and promoted to the 1st line.

Earlier in the season, the Detroit Red Wings elected to call up forward Marco Kasper from the Grand Rapids Griffins.

And while his offense production was slower to come than most would have hoped, he's been putting it together in Detroit's recent games.

He was recently promoted to the Red Wings' first line with captain Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond, and has responded in kind with 11 points (7G, 4A) since the promotion from coach Todd McLellan.

Not only has Kasper broken out offensively, but he's also playing in key defensive situations, per coach Todd McLellan.

He's playing against the top players on a nightly basis. Whether we're on the road or at home, teams are matching against Larks' line, so it forces him to have a real sharp game night after night.

Earlier in the week, McLellan boasted of Kasper's strong play at such a young age that would set him up for long-term success.

Really good because you tend to arrive as a star player that has the puck on the outside of the perimeter and making plays. He's now learning to go there, does a real good job and if he understands the reward that exists by going there at a young age, he'll probably continue doing that for years.

«Playing with Larks and Razor, (the net) is what I'm trying to get to, to open up space for those guys to play a little bit more on the outside, have the puck. Try to go to the net, create offense from there, hunt pucks after shots.

Meanwhile, Kasper himself spoke about the change in philosophy under McLellan, as the entire team took a more forceful role in offensive attack.

We shoot a lot more right now. That means you got to get to the net because the puck is getting there way more. You have more chance of scoring goals. Also being there and support my teammates off rebounds. I think I can play all kind of roles right now. Just trying to work to get to the net a little more, create some offense off of it.

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