Prospect Info: #8OA, Marco Kasper

[Tatar Shots]

For a guy who pretty much had his ass saved by hitting on Kucherov and Point in the later rounds, it continues to mystify me that Yzerman does not take more shots on high upside forwards with the amount of picks we have had.

I don’t think we’re lacking on drafting those type of players. We seem committed to drafting at least one each year. I think we like to grab a high end skill forward and a hard nosed forward each draft. 2020, Niederbach and Hanas were both taking shots at high end skill guys. 21, we went for the other type of forward in Mazur, Savage, LDH. 22, Buchelnikov and Lombardi for high end skill and James for the hard nosed type of forward. 23, we grabbed NDH as our high end forward prospect. I think the reality is that they’re just looking for one of those high end skill type of guys to pan out to round out our top 6. We seem committed to a strategy of two-way centers that can skate, skill forward, hard nosed forward on each line with a defense group of big Dmen that can skate and pitch in offense. Whether that strategy pans out, who knows. But to me, the commitment to this goal is pretty clear.

 

[Our Lady Peace]

For a guy who pretty much had his ass saved by hitting on Kucherov and Point in the later rounds, it continues to mystify me that Yzerman does not take more shots on high upside forwards with the amount of picks we have had.

I think now in 2023 it's generally harder to find high upside forwards after Round 1 in the draft than it was in 2011 or even 2014. However I agree with your point of taking more shots on high upside forwards later in the draft. No doubt.

I do love the Buchelnikov pick as an overager (barely) in Round 2 in 2022. He genuinely looks to have top 6 scoring potential, but that's about it IMO.

They definitely need more Europe looks for forwards outside of Round 1, as the diamonds are more often than not found over there rather than NA, at least in terms of forwards.

 

[Our Lady Peace]

I don’t think we’re lacking on drafting those type of players. We seem committed to drafting at least one each year. I think we like to grab a high end skill forward and a hard nosed forward each draft. 2020, Niederbach and Hanas were both taking shots at high end skill guys. 21, we went for the other type of forward in Mazur, Savage, LDH. 22, Buchelnikov and Lombardi for high end skill and James for the hard nosed type of forward. 23, we grabbed NDH as our high end forward prospect. I think the reality is that they’re just looking for one of those high end skill type of guys to pan out to round out our top 6. We seem committed to a strategy of two-way centers that can skate, skill forward, hard nosed forward on each line with a defense group of big Dmen that can skate and pitch in offense. Whether that strategy pans out, who knows. But to me, the commitment to this goal is pretty clear.

Personally, I don't see and never have seen Niederbach, Hanas, Lombardi, or even Soderblom as high skill forwards actually worthy of considering as top 6 scoring forwards.

Some players have the essence of that in junior hockey or other pro leagues where the ice surface may be bigger, or the teams play more systematic (e.g. SHL).

The NHL is an entirely different beast, and you have to have the brain, eyes, hands, feet, and strength amongst the very best of them. Many players simply don't, even though it may appear so when you watch them. There are certain overlooked aspects of IQ like timing where even the most physically gifted players just don't keep up.

It's why professional amateur scouts aren't projecting virtually half their draft picks to be top 6 F's or top 4 D's like hockey fans do. Otherwise teams would be legitimately turning their rebuilds around in half the time it takes (which is usually a very long time).

 

[Frk It]

I don’t think we’re lacking on drafting those type of players. We seem committed to drafting at least one each year. I think we like to grab a high end skill forward and a hard nosed forward each draft. 2020, Niederbach and Hanas were both taking shots at high end skill guys. 21, we went for the other type of forward in Mazur, Savage, LDH. 22, Buchelnikov and Lombardi for high end skill and James for the hard nosed type of forward. 23, we grabbed NDH as our high end forward prospect. I think the reality is that they’re just looking for one of those high end skill type of guys to pan out to round out our top 6. We seem committed to a strategy of two-way centers that can skate, skill forward, hard nosed forward on each line with a defense group of big Dmen that can skate and pitch in offense. Whether that strategy pans out, who knows. But to me, the commitment to this goal is pretty clear.

We draft 1 or maybe 2 skilled/upside forwards per year. Ok, now go look at how many Carolina drafts every year and compare. With the conversion rate on draft picks after round 2, that is not going to cut it.

And then there is the matter of where we are picking our spots. Why would you ever draft Brady Cleveland in the 2nd round last year when there are players like Danny Nelson, Carson Rehkopf, Felix Unger Sorum on the board. I mean you might as well start lighting your draft picks on fire at that point. Or start trading them to other teams for their players/prospects.

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

We draft 1 or maybe 2 skilled/upside forwards per year. Ok, now go look at how many Carolina drafts every year and compare. With the conversion rate on draft picks after round 2, that is not going to cut it.

And then there is the matter of where we are picking our spots. Why would you ever draft Brady Cleveland in the 2nd round last year when there are players like Danny Nelson, Carson Rehkopf, Felix Unger Sorum on the board. I mean you might as well start lighting your draft picks on fire at that point. Or start trading them to other teams for their players/prospects.

Carolina's realization rate is really not that impressive. I will admit though that they are a hard NHL roster to crack.

If we take more than one or two defensemen in 2024's draft I will start to worry.

 

[Pavels Dog]

We draft 1 or maybe 2 skilled/upside forwards per year. Ok, now go look at how many Carolina drafts every year and compare. With the conversion rate on draft picks after round 2, that is not going to cut it.

And then there is the matter of where we are picking our spots. Why would you ever draft Brady Cleveland in the 2nd round last year when there are players like Danny Nelson, Carson Rehkopf, Felix Unger Sorum on the board. I mean you might as well start lighting your draft picks on fire at that point. Or start trading them to other teams for their players/prospects.

Is Carolina’s drafting really that impressive? And arguably their best pick of recent history is Slavvin who is not a high skill type.

 

[Shaman464]

Is Carolina’s drafting really that impressive? And arguably their best pick of recent history is Slavvin who is not a high skill type.

​

Nikishin looks like he could be pretty high end when he comes over from the KHL. But that's their only blue chip prospect that I am aware of.

 

[Frk It]

Is Carolina’s drafting really that impressive? And arguably their best pick of recent history is Slavvin who is not a high skill type.

That’s a fair question. I just personally like their approach they have taken the last few years, but time will tell if the results match up.

I think they added as many quality forwards prospects to their pipeline in just this last draft as we have over the last 2-3 drafts despite not having a pick til #30.

We will see if it all pays off in the long run.

 

[Dotter]

I mean, most scouts said he was a projected 3rd line center with limited offensive upside and he’s turning out to for that bill perfectly, yet there were guys ranked much better than Kasper and yet we still seemed okay with a middle of the lineup grinder. In other words, we had our chance to make a better pick and didn’t want to.

He was projected to be top 6 power forward. I don't know if this has changed.

Perhaps above all, Kasper possesses what Rögle BK Ängelholm coach Cam Abbott calls “a great engine,” which made him a valued member of their top Swedish Hockey League pro club and, potentially, of an NHL team. Add in adaptability to what Abbott needs out of Kasper in a system that stresses 200-foot play, and you have a player who coaches can readily trust.​

​

“He’s a smart player,” said Abbott, who first met Kasper at the end of 2019. “Very smart. He competes really hard. … He’s not one to force his skill set on the team. He has a very selfless way of playing. When that is the case for whatever team he’s playing for – and he transported the puck more even for us this season – with his feet moving, his skill level is going to show even greater than I think it did this year. But that wasn’t what was going to get him in those positions and the ice time he was looking for in the way that we needed to win.​

​

“I think the skill level is 100 percent there. In my opinion, the finish rate — and when he gets in those situations more, it’s going to show well.” – reported by Eric Stephens, The Athletic​

​

Kasper was easy to spot even in SHL games because of how powerful an athlete he is. He would often be the guy to wind it up in his own end to carry the puck due to his great speed and skill. Kasper has a strong 6-foot-1 frame, isn’t afraid to attack the hard areas, and can win some battles versus men as a 17-year-old. Kasper attacks with speed and skill, and while he can pull up to make a play or use his hard shot, his direct style of play will translate to the NHL. He projects as a quality top two line center. – Corey Pronman, The Athletic​

​

Kasper is one of my favorite prospects in this class. He has everything that you want in a power forward. The grit, the decision making and the speed. Kasper has the potential to be a top six forward in the NHL and his grit will intrigue plenty of teams. If a NHL team is looking to obtain a well-rounded power forward who can be annoying in high danger situations with his reach, Kasper is the guy. – Josh Tessler, Smaht Scouting​

 

[Shaman464]

He was projected to be top 6 power forward. I don't know if this has changed.

None of these project him to be a top-6 power forward. One says he could become one. Most scouting reports I saw at the draft said his ceiling was a top 6 forward but almost all of them qualified it as not a lock at all because there were major questions a wounding if his offense would ever develop. Most liked him because of his high floor and work ethic.

 

[Dotter]

None of these project him to be a top-6 power forward. One says he could become one. Most scouting reports I saw at the draft said his ceiling was a top 6 forward but almost all of them qualified it as not a lock at all because there were major questions a wounding if his offense would ever develop. Most liked him because of his high floor and work ethic.

"his direct style of play will translate to the NHL. He projects as a quality top two line center."

Doesn't say "could", says he projects. Most all drafted players are projects, esp outside the top 3 picks.

You can say the analyst is FOS, but it doesn't say "could", it says "projects".

 

[Tatar Shots]

We draft 1 or maybe 2 skilled/upside forwards per year. Ok, now go look at how many Carolina drafts every year and compare. With the conversion rate on draft picks after round 2, that is not going to cut it.

And then there is the matter of where we are picking our spots. Why would you ever draft Brady Cleveland in the 2nd round last year when there are players like Danny Nelson, Carson Rehkopf, Felix Unger Sorum on the board. I mean you might as well start lighting your draft picks on fire at that point. Or start trading them to other teams for their players/prospects.

I suppose we see things differently. I think there’s huge value in hitting on a Bertuzzi-esque player. Same with hitting on a big Dman. Unfortunately, the results have not been there yet. I think we’re really hoping on hitting on 1 of each type of player to compliment what we’ve done in the first round. Will the strategy be successful, I don’t know. All I’m saying is I understand the process.

 

[lhsgolf19]

Goal and 2 Assists tonight for Marco in a 6-3 Win

 

[RedHawkDown]

Please build on this Marco

 

[Michael Brand Eggs]

The most obvious sign of a career AHLer? Playing well in the AHL. I knew it all along.

 

[KJoe88]

I hate prospects

 

[TheOctopusKid]

The speed in which we as a collective fanbase are ready to light Kasper on fire is astonishing to me. This is a guy who put together a very strong SHL season in the role he was utilized as he graduated from freakin high school and comes over as a 18 yo and plays his NHl debut and looks aggressive and physical and has bad injury luck; loses an offseason that is critical for a young prospect, especially one known for his work ethic, comes back and plays at the AHL in another foreign league and adjust to the NA game and still is what… 15 in 29 and we’re ready to load him into the trebuchet and drag Steve and Lalonde and the entire scouting department with him?

I just don’t get why there is so much anxiety around him right now.

 

[AlwaysSunnyInDetroit]

We draft 1 or maybe 2 skilled/upside forwards per year. Ok, now go look at how many Carolina drafts every year and compare. With the conversion rate on draft picks after round 2, that is not going to cut it.

And then there is the matter of where we are picking our spots. Why would you ever draft Brady Cleveland in the 2nd round last year when there are players like Danny Nelson, Carson Rehkopf, Felix Unger Sorum on the board. I mean you might as well start lighting your draft picks on fire at that point. Or start trading them to other teams for their players/prospects.

 

[Filppula]

The speed in which we as a collective fanbase are ready to light Kasper on fire is astonishing to me. This is a guy who put together a very strong SHL season in the role he was utilized as he graduated from freakin high school and comes over as a 18 yo and plays his NHl debut and looks aggressive and physical and has bad injury luck; loses an offseason that is critical for a young prospect, especially one known for his work ethic, comes back and plays at the AHL in another foreign league and adjust to the NA game and still is what… 15 in 29 and we’re ready to load him into the trebuchet and drag Steve and Lalonde and the entire scouting department with him?

I just don’t get why there is so much anxiety around him right now.

New league + team with new coach and lots of new faces + significant injury = pretty predictable slow start. But he’s picking it up now as expected. Perhaps more patience should have been provide….

 

[norrisnick]

Also can't overlook that with Czarnik/Burgers up Kasper is slotting higher up. Some kids/players do legitimately need to be leaned on to get the most out of them. That's part of the frustration with Mo randomly getting 3rd pairing ice time. He's a racehorse that needs to run. Same with Ed with his few games, these guys don't have 3rd pairing motors. They need regular shifts to stay engaged at the right level. It's what they're used to and it's the talent level they possess. Use it. Larkin wouldn't be Larkin getting 12 minutes a night.

 

[Snuggs]

Moritz Seider doesn't play 12 minutes a night.

Don't have to be hyperbolic to suggest he needs to play closer to 30 mins vs 20.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

The speed in which we as a collective fanbase are ready to light Kasper on fire is astonishing to me. This is a guy who put together a very strong SHL season in the role he was utilized as he graduated from freakin high school and comes over as a 18 yo and plays his NHl debut and looks aggressive and physical and has bad injury luck; loses an offseason that is critical for a young prospect, especially one known for his work ethic, comes back and plays at the AHL in another foreign league and adjust to the NA game and still is what… 15 in 29 and we’re ready to load him into the trebuchet and drag Steve and Lalonde and the entire scouting department with him?

I just don’t get why there is so much anxiety around him right now.

There is no trebuchet that can hold Marco in the organization currently.

It’s a long season. Prospect development isn’t linear. Too many people on this board have been overly negative lately.

 

[RedHawkDown]

You’re allowed to criticize and be concerned when a top 10 pick starts the season poorly. It doesn’t mean you’ve given up. Nuance is lost on this board, both ways.

 

[norrisnick]

Moritz Seider doesn't play 12 minutes a night.

Don't have to be hyperbolic to suggest he needs to play closer to 30 mins vs 20.

Find where I implied he did.

Don't have to make up statements so you have something to refute.

Mo sometimes getting 3rd pairing ice time (the lowest position for a defenseman on the active roster) is like Larkin getting 4th line ice time (the lowest position for a forward on the active roster).

Too many of you guys legitimately can't read and comprehend and run off half-cocked. It's wild man...

 

[Snuggs]

Also can't overlook that with Czarnik/Burgers up Kasper is slotting higher up. Some kids/players do legitimately need to be leaned on to get the most out of them. That's part of the frustration with Mo randomly getting 3rd pairing ice time. He's a racehorse that needs to run. Same with Ed with his few games, these guys don't have 3rd pairing motors. They need regular shifts to stay engaged at the right level. It's what they're used to and it's the talent level they possess. Use it. Larkin wouldn't be Larkin getting 12 minutes a night.

I guess you were implying something else.