Prospect Info: #8OA, Marco Kasper

[Hen Kolland]

was hoping ahl, dunno if he can or cannot

He can, as I understand it.

This all stems back to when Yzerman commented after the selection that they felt he would be a top 6 guy for them, whether that starts this year or next, we will wait and see.

Maybe the team just really wants to get him in camp and give him a shot, knowing that they have GR and the 67s as fallbacks. Different landing spots for different purposes, depending on what they feel he most needs to work on. Once he gets loaned to Rogle, you know he's going to be there all year, so you can only hope they use him as you want them to...which is not necessarily in Rogle's best interest.

 

[Konnan511]

Ottawa guy but I am not sure I buy it

Ewwww no. Keep him out of Canadian Juniors.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

I don’t like this at all. I’d rather have him in the SHL.

Ugh. Same here. Is the idea to see how he'll do as center for a full season? And what happened to Kasper going back to Sweden to finish highschool?

This is Rogle's roster right now.
Rögle BK at eliteprospects.com

I can't imagine Kasper being lower in the lineup than 2nd/3rd line. Either 2LW or 3C on that team. Maybe even 2C.

Tambellini - Kasper - Niederbach doesn't sound like a bad SHL line.

 

[Frk It]

Ewwww no. Keep him out of Canadian Juniors.

Ugh. Same here. Is the idea to see how he'll do as center for a full season? And what happened to Kasper going back to Sweden to finish highschool?

I would not mind seeing him in a situation where he can play as a top line center, on a top PP unit, and have more freedom to try things offensively.

The other parts of his game are already really good.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

If/When Kasper goes back to the SHL (I'm really hoping he goes back there instead of to the OHL) here are some benchmarks to consider.

18-Year Old SHL Forwards - Regular Season Stats

Most of those players were in their D+1 that I can see, save for William Eklund. I think if Kasper can get 0.500 points per game or better in his D+1 year with Rogle that's a very good sign for his offensive development and that he's on the right track as a prospect.

For reference, Raymond had 0.529 with Frolunda in 2020-21 in a mostly 3rd line role. Kasper had close to that in Rogle's postseason while playing on the 3rd line. Jakub Vrana had a 0.545 for Linkoping HC in 2014-15. And Elias Lindholm is the high water mark for guys in the last 22 years with 30 points and a 0.625 ppg in 2012-13 for Brynas IF.

I would not mind seeing him in a situation where he can play as a top line center, on a top PP unit, and have more freedom to try things offensively.

The other parts of his game are already really good.

Read above. I think it would be more impressive to see him score at a 0.500 ppg pace in the SHL than score 80 points in the OHL.

 

[Christoph53]

I simply don't believe this

 

[NickH8]

If Rogle won't play him at C in a higher role then I can understand it. People on this board are allergic to Canadian junior leagues for no good reason. Kasper won't be stuck there until he's 20 either because he's European. If he's not quite ready next year but too good for the OHL we have that AHL option. If he's in Rogle you have no control.

 

[TheOctopusKid]

The only way this is true is if the team thinks that they have a really physically and defensively developed prospect and want to give him 20 minutes of ice time at center in highly offensive leaning situations. Hone the offensive game, shoot the puck 10 times a night without consequences, try to hang crooked numbers on everyone.

That is literally the only thing I can think of at this point that would justify this move for him: that his role, whatever it is on Rogle, isn't somehow helping him develop anything else and they are looking for him to play 1C in an offensively oriented system? But even in that case, the AHL feels like a better place for him if that's what they are looking for? Drop him down there, they have control over that team and how usage, throw Berggren and Veleno on his wings and have him play Top PP and 1st line minutes?

I don't get it and I question if this is true

 

[Hen Kolland]

Ugh. Same here. Is the idea to see how he'll do as center for a full season? And what happened to Kasper going back to Sweden to finish highschool?

This is Rogle's roster right now.
Rögle BK at eliteprospects.com

I can't imagine Kasper being lower in the lineup than 2nd/3rd line. Either 2LW or 3C on that team. Maybe even 2C.

Tambellini - Kasper - Niederbach doesn't sound like a bad SHL line.

George Malik has responded and been discussing this. The point was made that SHL players can't participate in the prospect tournament or training camp. As much as you want Kasper to be in Rogle, I'd rather have him in TC/Detroit for all of the Red Wings related development opportunities, and then make a decision on where to put him...even if that means the SHL isn't an option.

Also, we could find out that Kasper wants to make the move to North America. There's a lot of open ended stuff here.

 

[Frk It]

If/When Kasper goes back to the SHL (I'm really hoping he goes back there instead of to the OHL) here are some benchmarks to consider.

18-Year Old SHL Forwards - Regular Season Stats

Most of those players were in their D+1 that I can see, save for William Eklund. I think if Kasper can get 0.500 points per game or better in his D+1 year with Rogle that's a very good sign for his offensive development and that he's on the right track as a prospect.

For reference, Raymond had 0.529 with Frolunda in 2020-21 in a mostly 3rd line role. Kasper had close to that in Rogle's postseason while playing on the 3rd line. Jakub Vrana had a 0.545 for Linkoping HC in 2014-15. And Elias Lindholm is the high water mark for guys in the last 23 years with 30 points and a 0.625 ppg in 2012-13 for Brynas IF.



Read above. I think it would be more impressive to see him score at a 0.500 ppg pace in the SHL than score 80 points in the OHL.

I disagree.

My biggest question with him is how much offense is there, and I don't think there is any place better to develop his offense than in the OHL where he would get huge minutes as a 1C and on a top PP unit. It also might encourage him to play more freely, as opposed to being a teenager in a men's league.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

That is literally the only thing I can think of at this point that would justify this move for him: that his role, whatever it is on Rogle, isn't somehow helping him develop anything else and they are looking for him to play 1C in an offensively oriented system? But even in that case, the AHL feels like a better place for him if that's what they are looking for? Drop him down there, they have control over that team and how usage, throw Berggren and Veleno on his wings and have him play Top PP and 1st line minutes?

I don't get it and I question if this is true

No thanks to the AHL. Ben Simon is not a systems coach. He's a chip and chase kind of guy. To me, sending Kasper there to develop his offense would be the worst thing we could do for the kid.

George Malik has responded and been discussing this. The point was made that SHL players can't participate in the prospect tournament or training camp. As much as you want Kasper to be in Rogle, I'd rather have him in TC/Detroit for all of the Red Wings related development opportunities, and then make a decision on where to put him...even if that means the SHL isn't an option.

Also, we could find out that Kasper wants to make the move to North America. There's a lot of open ended stuff here.

That's pretty much what happened with Eklund last season. Sharks had him over for their camp, preseason and sent him back after 9 games. It makes me wonder if Detroit will do the same.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

I disagree.

My biggest question with him is how much offense is there, and I don't think there is any place better to develop his offense than in the OHL where he would get huge minutes as a 1C and on a top PP unit. It also might encourage him to play more freely, as opposed to being a teenager in a men's league.

Using the OHL as a league to gauge offense doesn't sound like a great idea to me. We've gone on to see kids that score 60-70 points in the OHL score more in the NHL than guys that have scored 100+ points in the OHL.

 

[Orthodox Caveman]

How would it work if Kasper did play for the 67s....they don't currently own his rights. How would the Wings freely pluck him out if they decide he's had enough time feasting?

 

[Frk It]

Using the OHL as a league to gauge offense doesn't sound like a great idea to me. We've gone on to see kids that score 60-70 points in the OHL score more in the NHL than guys that have scored 100+ points in the OHL.

I mean, just simplify it even more.

The best way to develop offense is to play the most minutes possible in offensive situations. OHL would provide that.

Playing in the OHL isn't going to make Kasper forget how to play defense or be a smart/responsible player in general, I think that stuff is in his DNA.

 

[TheOctopusKid]

No thanks to the AHL. Ben Simon is not a systems coach. He's a chip and chase kind of guy. To me, sending Kasper there to develop his offense would be the worst thing we could do for the kid.

I know little about Simon - but I've seen you express your dislike for him a few times in what he runs. Looking back over how Stevie set up Syracuse, the GM's, the coaching staff, etc, - at what point does GR get a face lift as well?

Probably sooner rather than later since we now have Lalonde and we know what those players should be building towards stylistically?

 

[Killerjas]

Why go from a men's league to a junior league? Makes no sense, this kid needs to stay in Sweden

 

[DTR]

How would it work if Kasper did play for the 67s....they don't currently own his rights. How would the Wings freely pluck him out if they decide he's had enough time feasting?

Ottawa selected Kasper in the most recent Import Draft

 

[stillwater]

How would it work if Kasper did play for the 67s....they don't currently own his rights. How would the Wings freely pluck him out if they decide he's had enough time feasting?

Ottawa drafted him in the import draft 2 weeks ago.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

I mean, just simplify it even more.

The best way to develop offense is to play the most minutes possible in offensive situations. OHL would provide that.

Playing in the OHL isn't going to make Kasper forget how to play defense or be a smart/responsible player in general, I think that stuff is in his DNA.

But then why not move ALL Swedish drafted prospects over to the CHL? Raymond's offense worked out. So did Nylander's. Vrana turned out OK, and Holtz looked great in the AHL in his D+2 after a D+1 in Sweden. Go look at the list I posted. There are numerous successful NHLers on there and some very good prospects.

Another thing to consider is quality of team. The Ottawa 67s were dead last in goals for in the OHL last season and were one of the worst teams in the league. What good does it do Kasper to play 20 minutes a night in the OHL if he's on a team that's getting caved in constantly?

I know little about Simon - but I've seen you express your dislike for him a few times in what he runs. Looking back over how Stevie set up Syracuse, the GM's, the coaching staff, etc, - at what point does GR get a face lift as well?

Probably sooner rather than later since we now have Lalonde and we know what those players should be building towards stylistically?

My guess is after this season. Simon should have been fired the second Blashill was out the door but he stuck around for whatever reason. The guy has been a very unsuccessful coach with GR.

 

[Frk It]

But then why not move ALL Swedish drafted prospects over to the CHL? Raymond's offense worked out. So did Nylander's. Vrana turned out OK, and Holtz looked great in the AHL in his D+2 after a D+1 in Sweden. Go look at the list I posted. There are numerous successful NHLers on there and some very good prospects.

Because not ALL Swedish prospects are great in all areas other than offense already and could benefit from more offensive minutes like Kasper could (IMO). Every single player's situation is different. Every player's development route should therefore be different.

I never had any questions about Raymond's offensive abilities.

Another thing to consider is quality of team. The Ottawa 67s were dead last in goals for in the OHL last season and were one of the worst teams in the league. What good does it do Kasper to play 20 minutes a night in the OHL if he's on a team that's getting caved in constantly?

That's a totally fair/valid concern. I don't know what they are looking like for next year.

 

[RRhoads]

Are there other players who have thrived in SHL that has gone to play in CHL?

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

Because not ALL Swedish prospects are great in all areas other than offense already and could benefit from more offensive minutes like Kasper could (IMO). Every single player's situation is different.

I never had any questions about Raymond's offensive abilities.

Ottawa 67's at eliteprospects.com
That is the team that Kasper would play on.

I understand Kasper's situation is different but him playing 20 minutes a night for the 67s and getting 70+ points on a poor junior team versus playing 15 minutes and getting 25+ points on a great pro team? I'm taking the SHL all day every day for our prospects.

Let's agree to disagree.

Are there other players who have thrived in SHL that has gone to play in CHL?

Fabian Lysell and Oskar Olausson made the move from SHL last season to the CHL, but I wouldn't say that they were thriving in the SHL.

 

[stillwater]

Great, all set up for another "but is he a center-center" arguement. I'm going to give my trust to the Wings brass other than anecdotal opinions.

 

[Orthodox Caveman]

Ottawa selected Kasper in the most recent Import Draft

Ottawa drafted him in the import draft 2 weeks ago.

Not as familiar with import drafts....they only control his rights the moment he plays for them? Since he currently has the option to go back to Sweden...

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

Great, all set up for another "but is he a center-center" arguement. I'm going to give my trust to the Wings brass other than anecdotal opinions.

He'll 100% be a center. He might play wing in his rookie season with the wings but it won't be long before he shifts full time to center, just like Larkin. Just like Zetterberg. And just like Stutzle in Ottawa, who people argued about recently.