from Matt Larkin of The Daily Faceoff,
Kasper, 18, was Detroit’s first-round selection, eighth overall, in the 2022 NHL Draft. He was the highest-drafted Austrian player since Thomas Vanek in 2003. In his three seasons playing against men in the SHL, Kasper made quite an impression. His 23 points in 52 regular-season games this season were the second-most of any player 20 or younger in the SHL.
Kasper joined the Wings for their flight to Winnipeg before they take on the Jets Friday night. He is unquestionably the No. 1 forward prospect in their farm system. At the start of this season, Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis released a list of his top 75 NHL-affiliated prospects and ranked Kasper 47th. That list included plenty of skaters already debuting in the NHL this season, however, and didn’t yet factor in Kasper’s impressive 2022-23 campaign. While Kasper doesn’t project to have an elite offensive ceiling, his intelligent two-way game could make him a highly effective No. 2 center with a potential Selke Trophy-worthy skill set someday.
While the Wings are bursting with promising young blueliners, from reigning Calder Trophy winner Moritz Seider to elite-grade prospect Simon Edvinsson to recently signed William Wallinder, they badly need an influx of top-end forward talent to support Lucas Raymond and Dylan Larkin in the long term. Kasper is a key part of that plan, as is Carter Mazur. The Wings also have two first-round picks for this June’s loaded draft.
a bit more
I thought Kasper was a decent sniper and this article makes him sound like Copp. Other articles made him sound like a first line center. Just one writers opinion I guess.
Everything I read was that he was a quality #2 centre with a high floor and a low ceiling. He's on his 8 game ELC slide audition and there are huge question marks on how his game will translate to the bigger more physical NHL.
Here was his draft preview by Corey Pronman in July 2022:
Here is what Eric Stephens added:
Here is what Scott Wheeler said:
Here is what Max Bultman said in Jan '23:
I had the same thought Poobah. Looking at his profile on EliteProspects, they say the below. Sounds more skilled than a Copp type, but he's also not put up a ton of goals in the leagues he's played in, so I guess the hope is he turns into a strong two way center...hopefully.
Hes physical and capable along the boards, even in terms of manipulation; he recognizes the angle of defenders coming at him and knows how to beat them and escape them. He passes to the right areas, knows the next logical play in the offensive progression. He goes to the net, hard and often, and with purpose: to screen, rebound, and score. He has good first touches: takes them inside when possible and leads to next play.
Have not watched him personally, but I've never read a prospect or scouting report on Kasper that suggested he was a "sniper", another Copp is probably a good description, though more offensive output, maybe the 2022 version of Copp.
Which is why signing Copp the week after drafting Kasper with Larkin Veleno and Rasmussen in the system was odd to me.
That possibly gives us two young guys, with Mazur, who go hard to the net, or such like. I look forward to Rasmussen getting back in the game next year again to add to them.
With any luck, he'll have someone to pass to who can put it in the net. Hopefully next season.
It does sound like he goes to the hard areas. That's where the goals are.
Looks like some of the toughness the wings need.
Create an Account
In order to leave a comment, please create an account.