The start was rocky, but the finish hinted at a star in the making.
To say Marco Kasper stumbled out of the gates in his rookie year would be putting it mildly. At Christmas, after 29 games, the Austrian center — the No. 8 pick in the 2022 draft — had managed just two goals and five assists.
Then came the coaching change. Todd McLellan took over on Dec. 26, and from that point on, Kasper looked like a different player. Over the final 48 games, he led all NHL rookies with 17 goals while adding 13 assists.
Now, with that experience behind him, the Detroit Red Wings believe the 21-year-old is primed to take the leap and become their next breakout star.
Marco Kasper Brings Physicality, Compete Level That Lines Up With Red Wings Identity
Kasper’s style already lines up with the identity Detroit has been trying to build under general manager Steve Yzerman. His physicality and compete level make him the kind of forward who can tilt momentum. He goes to hard areas, finishes checks, and doesn’t take shifts off — qualities that earned him trust down the stretch.
It’s no coincidence McLellan leaned on him more in the second half. The rookie’s tenacity gave Detroit the kind of spark that playoff hopefuls need.
“He battles hard every shift. He never takes his foot off the gas and he’s always willing to go to the dirty areas,” said the Maietta Sports Media podcast. “That’s the type of mentality that wins games in the NHL and it’s something Detroit is going to rely on heavily. Add in his physical edge and his willingness to finish checks and he’s already playing a style that fits perfectly in the Red Wings identity.”
The production followed the effort. Kasper’s final 48 games weren’t just about hustle — he found ways to make an impact on the scoresheet. His 17 goals led all rookies in that span, and his improving confidence with the puck stood out. According to NHL.com’s fantasy projections, Kasper is one of the top breakout candidates for 2025-26, with the potential to crack 50 points if his usage increases.
His playmaking vision and developing shot have been highlighted in prospect reports since his draft year. In Detroit, those tools are now starting to translate against NHL competition.
Marco Kasper Leads Prospect Pipeline That ‘Promises a Bright Future in Motown’
For the Red Wings, Kasper’s surge couldn’t come at a better moment. With Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond already anchoring the young core, Detroit needs more offensive depth down the middle to support Dylan Larkin. As Octopus Thrower recently pointed out, the Red Wings’ prospect pipeline “promises a bright future in Motown,” and Kasper is among the names expected to carry that promise forward.
He doesn’t need to shoulder the scoring burden alone. Instead, he can complement Detroit’s top forwards while continuing to play the high-energy, physical style that makes him effective even when the points aren’t flowing.
Last season’s split tells the story: a sluggish start, then a surge that established Kasper as one of the league’s most effective rookies down the stretch. That kind of growth trajectory, coupled with his age and role, is why analysts around the league see him as a legitimate breakout threat.
Detroit’s rebuild has always been about young players stepping up at the right time. For Kasper, that time appears to be now.