The Detroit Red Wings Have Found Their Second-Line center in Marco Kasper

The Detroit Red Wings called up Marco Kasper from the AHL at the beginning of the season.

He'd see action in the bottom six, as he learned to play the game at a higher level with the Red Wings.

After Head Coach Derek Lalonde was replaced by Todd McLellan he saw fit to place Kasper in a top-six role with Lucas Raymond, and Dylan Larkin and found a new home there.

He wouldn't contribute much in a defensive role, but McLellan's choice would juice his production as he found a fit in the team's top six.

Now, currently playing 2C, with Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane on his flanks his production has increased significantly.

With Copp out, he's had to learn the role in a short period of time but has acclimated to the role well.

Kasper was originally drafted 8th overall in the 2022 NHL Draft and was seen as a future third-line center and penalty killer by scouts.

GM Steve Yzerman and the Wings saw more potential with Kasper's speed and skill meant he could contribute more offensively than was originally assumed about the SHL player.

His last season in the SHL saw him score 23 points in 52 games and would be signed after the playoffs ended. He'd turn pro and play with the Grand Rapids Griffins in the AHL.

He'd have to weather an injury suffered during the 2023 season before suiting up with the Griffins allowing him to grow as a player without major consequences like he'd face in the NHL.

He'd play a full year in the AHL, before moving up the depth chart.

Kasper would only play 2 games in the AHL before his callup to the Red Wings organization this season and has since found a home on the second line.

Since the arrival of McLellan, he's produced a level of 19 points in 31 games under the new Head Coach, in contrast to his original role as Auston Watson's replacement on the bottom six.

With Andrew Copp, and JT Compher out of the lineup, McLellan has had to get creative and placed Kasper in Compher's spot.

Keep in mind that Kasper was originally drafted as a center but played the majority of the season on the wing before he moved back to a center role.

Kasper would be a part of the team that would set the ice on fire, scoring 3 points that night against the Buffalo Sabres, while Patrick Kane collected 5, and Alex DeBrincat collected 4.

The chemistry between the three players has been established by the eye test, along with the statistics above.

For Kasper to remain in the spot, he'd have to play responsible hockey ensuring the team gets a two-hundred-foot game out of him

If he can continue to produce at 0.61 PPG that'd put him on pace for 50 points in a full 82-games season.

Could he be the answer the Red Wings are looking for while Copp and Compher remain out of the lineup?