patheur

Marco Kasper leans on veteran teammates as comfort level rises in NHL

Sakege November 10, 2024

detroit — Marco Kasper was talking the other day about life in the NHL.

Kasper, at the tender age of 20, was set to play in his 10th game on Saturday (and 11th overall in the NHL).

That hardly makes Kasper an NHL expert. But what Kasper can do is watch and listen to his Red Wings teammates and absorb the knowledge and experience they possess.

And that’s exactly what the young center is doing.

“Certainly, just being around these guys and seeing how they practice, you try to learn it,” Kasper said. “I try to take it all in and try to get better every day. (The little things) help every day.”

Kasper was recalled from Grand Rapids in mid-October and immediately fit well into the Wings lineup. He has balanced the Wings’ lines and played responsibly, while currently centering Vladimir Tarasenko and Jonatan Berggren.

What Kasper has yet to provide is an offensive spark.

Kasper has one point (one assist) in the nine games, with a rating of plus two. Kasper has nine shots on net in the nine games.

Coach Derek Lalonde isn’t focusing as much on Kasper’s offense as he is on the overall aspect of Kasper’s game.

“There’s a comfort level to his game,” Lalonde said, as the number of games Kasper plays increases. “You can see him winning battles, he’s quick with pucks and he plays (fast) defense. You can see some confidence in every game.”

Lalonde is quick to point out the Wings’ record since Kasper’s arrival.

“We’re 5-3-1 since he showed up,” Lalonde said. “I don’t think it’s an accident. It’s given some depth to our lineup and some rhythm to our lines.”

Captain Dylan Larkin was impressed with Kasper’s attitude and desire in training camp and that has continued since Kasper was called up from Grand Rapids.

“He’s brought a spark,” Larkin said. “He’s got NHL speed and hockey sense. It’s been great to have him.”

Kasper said his teammates have made it easier to adapt to the NHL.

“The guys are easy to deal with, they’re all great guys,” Kasper said. “Great hockey players. They make it easier for a younger player to come here. I take it day by day, go out there and do the best I can.”

ice chunks

The Wings did not skate in the morning on Saturday, before their game against the New York Rangers (7 pm/FDSN/97.1).

But with goaltender Cam Talbot having started Friday in Toronto and Alex Lyon (lower body) unavailable, Ville Husso was scheduled to make his second start this season, and his first since being recalled Friday from Grand Rapids. .

The Wings are happy to see Husso back in the NHL after he was suspended and then sent to Grand Rapids after being recalled in the season-opening loss against Pittsburgh.

“That was hard to watch,” Larkin said. “The human side is a great teammate and everyone loves him in this room. He has a young family and it was difficult for the boys (to see Husso sent to GR), but he has had a great attitude about it. (But Husso has “He’s back and we’re going to need him. That’s part of the business. He’s back and he’s comfortable and I expect a great performance from him when he gets back in the net for us.”

… With no morning skate, Lalonde did not provide an update on the Wings’ lineup. But Lalonde indicated Friday that there was a chance that forward Tyler Motte would have his first game since Oct. 17, when he suffered an upper-body injury against the Rangers.

… After Saturday’s game, the Wings are off until Wednesday, when they will travel to Pittsburgh, and from there they will take a cross-country flight to play Anaheim on Friday and Los Angeles on Saturday in a tough three-game stretch in four days.

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