from Tony Ferrari of The Hockey News,

Last year’s eighth overall pick, Austrian center Marco Kasper, is set to join the Detroit Red Wings organization as soon as this week.

It was Rogle, his own SHL club, that reported he was on his way over to North America after completing what can only be deemed a successful 18-year-old season.

The next wave of Red Wings adds another potential pillar.

Kasper’s impact on the Red Wings organization for the remainder of this year remains to be seen. It is expected that he will play for the team as the season winds down, though.

He could play at the AHL level to gain comfort with the North American ice surface if the team chooses. Detroit is far enough out of the playoff race that the remaining games at the NHL level this season don’t have much importance, so getting Kasper into The Show immediately could give him a preview of what to expect come training camp when the young center looks to make the roster from the jump.

Kasper was a late riser in his draft year, gaining traction as a potential top-15 pick as he displayed pro-ready tools and tendencies from skating to defensive acumen. The biggest question was whether his raw puck skill and offensive upside would be high enough to warrant a selection that high.

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