Marco Kasper did about all he could to earn an NHL roster spot in the preseason. He played a complete 200-foot game that earned the praises of coaches and teammates. He killed penalties, something not often asked of a 20-year-old rookie. And he even showed he can score, netting two goals in his final preseason appearance against Ottawa, two times nearly making it a hat trick.
After all that, the business side of hockey ultimately overcame what Kasper proved on the ice. Because he doesn’t have to go through waivers, and because he can play a more prominent role in Grand Rapids, Kasper was sent down to the AHL to start the season. Such a move isn’t what Kasper or many Red Wings fans had in mind coming into training camp, but it’s a reality of playing in the NHL.
“Obviously, some scenarios where he could have found himself in a day one lineup, but that’s kind of what I alluded to (Saturday),” Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde said Monday. “We’re just trying to maximize our roster. And it’s not a bad thing for him to go straight down, be playing 22 minutes in every situation and be a simple call at any time.”
© Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
For now, Kasper is back in Grand Rapids, where he is set to play top line minutes as one of the most important players on the team. The way the Red Wings see it, putting Kasper in this role is better for his development than keeping him in Detroit, where he would only play a depth role in the bottom six. At his age, players can learn a lot by playing more minutes and seeing situations in games — especially for a player whose offensive game is still a work in progress, minutes are all the more valuable. The Red Wings don’t want to stunt Kasper’s development by hurrying him to the NHL all for a diminished role.
Kasper’s situation is very similar to that of Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson. Last preseason, Edvinsson was one of Detroit’s better defensemen in preseason, but the Red Wings sent him down to Grand Rapids so that he could play a larger role and run a power play unit. He still got into 16 games, 14 of which came in the heat of Detroit’s late playoff push. This time around, he leaves training camp as a top four defenseman, one that the Red Wings will lean on a lot during the year ahead.
Kasper’s AHL assignment doesn’t preclude his playing in the NHL at some point. Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde acknowledged how much rosters change during a season, saying Saturday that “Grand Rapids is two hours away. We’ll have played 33 players by Christmas. Maybe it’s a little old school. Maybe that’s where it was 20, 25 years ago — you made the team on day one. In reality, we’re probably going to have 15 forwards and 10 D that are gonna play for us and make our team, so it’ll be very interesting how it plays out in the next couple weeks.”
In Lalonde’s eyes, there will be plenty of times for Kasper to get called up to play NHL games. Meanwhile, Kasper can continue to ripen while playing for the Griffins while using what he learned in the preseason to influence his training and preparation for a future call-up.
“Just trying to get out there and work really hard to do the best you can — I think that’s what I’ve tried to do,” Kasper said after Friday night’s 4-3 preseason loss to Ottawa. “I think that’s what everybody has tried to do, and now we just gotta get into the game and win some games.”
Kasper did do his best, and he showed enough in doing it to earn a roster spot in most situations. But in the end, he isn’t on the roster. The fact that he didn’t earn an NHL spot does raise the question of when the Red Wings think their prospects are ready for the NHL, and how much the organization prioritizes getting young players into the lineup versus doing what is easiest on the cap sheet. Kasper clearly earned a spot with his preseason play — it was just easier for Detroit to start him in Grand Rapids than to make the roster moves required to keep him in the NHL.
It can be frustrating, but the business of NHL roster management sometimes trumps putting together the greatest possible roster. The same can be said for player development.
Whichever reason Kasper is starting off in Grand Rapids, what comes next is even more important. If he builds on his strong preseason and lights up the AHL, he could earn his way into an NHL call-up at some point — as Lalonde said, Grand Rapids is a short drive. The key for Kasper is to not get discouraged by being sent down, rather using it as motivation.
“He made a really good impression on the organization, did himself really well,” Lalonde said. “And he’s working, certainly, in the right direction in the process.”
Kasper is building in the right direction, and an NHL roster spot appears to be near. But as the Red Wings enter the season, Kasper will have to continue waiting for his time to join Detroit’s roster. Until then, he can only bide his time in Grand Rapids.
Also from THN Detroit
How NHL Salary Cap Accrual Works, and How it Impacts Red Wings’ Roster Moves
How Austin Watson Turned a PTO into a Contract with the Red Wings
In Tarasenko, Detroit Hopes to Add Championship Blend of Skill & Grit
Breaking: Red Wings Trim Roster Down to 28
Red Wings Place Holl on Waivers
Three Takeaways from the Red Wings’ 3-2, Preseason Finale Loss to the Maple Leafs
Multitude of Roster Moves Cuts Red Wings’ Roster to 41
Role Versatility Puts NHL Within Grasp for Red Wings’ Top Prospects
