Red Wings call up top prospect Marco Kasper

On Friday, the Detroit Red Wings announced they have recalled forward Marco Kasper from their American Hockey League affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins.

Kasper’s call-up is being listed under emergency conditions.

This is just the second time Kasper has been brought up to the NHL. The Red Wings took the Austrian center in the first round, eighth overall, in the 2022 NHL Draft. Kasper would join the team late in the 2022-23 season, making his NHL debut on April 2, 2023 against the Toronto Maple Leafs. However, a nagging lower-body injury led him to missing the remainder of the season.

Kasper then spent his first full season in North America in the AHL. It was a slow start in 2023-24 with the Griffins, as he and the rest of the team were simply trying to find their footing. However, the second half was fruitful for the 20-year-old, as Kasper was paired up with fellow prospect Carter Mazur. The two became exceptional offensive weapons for Grand Rapids as they advanced to the Central Division Final.

In 71 games with Grand Rapids, Kasper scored 14 goals and 21 assists, with his 35 points placing him fourth on the team scoring. He also notched four goals and seven points in nine playoff games.

Kasper scored a goal and an assist for the Griffins in their season opener last Friday.

Kasper is in the first year of his three-year entry-level contract, with an NHL AAV of $1.89 million.

Prior to coming to the U.S., Kasper had a solid career with Rögle BK in the Swedish Hockey League. In three seasons, he appeared in 108 games, scoring 15 goals and 20 assists. Kasper was a big part in helping Rögle win the Champions Hockey League title in 2021-22, scoring eight points in 12 tournament games.

Kasper has also been a presence on the international stage. He first appeared with Team Austria at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship, making his debut with the senior national team at the 2022 IIHF Men’s World Championship. He was also on the Austrian team trying to qualify for the 2026 Winter Olympics earlier this year, scoring a goal in three games.

The Red Wings are scheduled to face the Nashville Predators on Saturday. It is unknown if Kasper will be in the lineup.