For all the doom and gloom regarding the Red Wings over the past two months, Marco Kasper breaks that trend. One reason is that the team’s second-half woes weren’t his fault. In fact, Kasper stood out as one of the lone bright spots even while the Red Wings season tanked, and he proved to be another building block well into the team’s future.
So, with one game remaining tonight, where does Kasper stand on the season? Through 76 games, he has 19 goals and 17 assists. That’s good for a fair 36 points, and Kasper has also broken even in the plus/minus. He’s notched three game-winning goals, with a 13.7 shooting percentage, and 153 hits through over 1,173 minutes of average total ice time.
Yeah, those are encouraging numbers, and those that will rise next season. Now, I’m not saying Kasper’s going to save the Red Wings, and I don’t want you leaving this conversation thinking he’s the next Steve Yzerman (the player, not the general manager) or anything.
But he’s a future top-six player who can be a staple in Detroit as the Wings finally seek to improve enough to make a playoff bid.
What might Kasper’s numbers look like next season?
Let’s assume Kasper will be around for a full 82-game stint. Judging from what he’s done in 2024-25, look for Kasper to improve his productivity by at least 1.5. So, if he’s got 36 points and 19 goals in 76 contests, 2025-26 should see him finish with at least 58 points, or 0.71 points per game. And that would mean he’ll be a 30-goal scorer should all things remain equal.
Not bad numbers, right? Not at all. It might be a lot, but Kasper’s productivity this season has only gotten better as the games wore on, even if the Red Wings looked increasingly lost. But if you know me, you also know I like players who convey an edge to their game, and it’s something Kasper does well.
His 153 hits jumped out at me, especially for a team that lacked a physical edge, with just 19.2 body checks per contest. So, I give a lot of credit to Kasper here not just for the strides he’s made, but for everything he’s done when the Wings don’t have the puck.
Kasper is another piece to the Red Wings core, but not superstar-caliber
Some players have star potential, and Kasper showed flashes of that this season. His improved productivity throughout the season is why he’s ready to take the next step. But still, he doesn’t boast superstar potential, which would be the top-tier rating in my book.
But that doesn’t mean he can’t evolve into a great supporting act, and it’s what his ceiling will comprise as his NHL career progresses. Overall, look for more output from Kasper in the coming seasons, and it won’t be long until he’s regularly putting up points.
Should the Wings land that superstar-caliber talent either through trade or if they somehow drafted one, Kasper’s play will further evolve.
