Prospect Info: #8OA, Marco Kasper

[MrKriben]

I love how many of you base your expertise on youtubeclips, a game here and there and stats.
Marco Kasper plays in a professional mens league and was his teams best player in that leagues semifinals where he alone won them one game and was about to steal another just by competing and skill.

That as a 17 year old. I watched about 10-15 Rögle games during this regular season and saw glimses of what he can do but when it came to the play-offs I saw all of Rögles games and he was their best player hands-down. Sure, others had injuries but that does not take away the fact that he was a gamechanger in the Färjestads serie in the semis. He was gritty, skillfull and irratic and again, against men.

I was almost certain they would pick him or trade down for Lambert, thankful they chose Kasper. He will be a fantastic NHLer in a couple of years.

 

[lomekian]

How much video have you watched? Savoie isn't a good playmaker, his passing decisions leave a lot to be desired. Some of it might be on his teammates that are always a step behind, but he dishes Robby Fabbri passes more often than you would like. His hockey IQ isn't that great.

Savoie is a great skater than can score. That is why I wanted him, worst case he plays wing. Kasper is a center, worst case he plays 3C but let's all hope he's as good as D-Boss. The team has spent a lot more time than both of us watching both of these kids, so we'll just have to go with their judgement. Maybe the kid just reminded them of Fabbri too much, lol.

For the record, I had Savoie-Kasper-Nazar in that order, but I'm not upset with this pick.

I took Savoie to be playing at a different level to a number of his team-mates, but ultimately my order was the same as yours

 

[WaW]

too much of a safe pick IMO, Wings need to keep making high upside swings if they're ever gonna be good and this isn't that

So more Zadina picks and less Seider picks?

Got it.

 

[Pavels Dog]

Draper tried to show how committed he is by saying Kasper learned Swedish before joining the SHL. While a good story, things like learning a language shouldn’t be factors for deciding draft worthiness or NHL ability.

It's all part of the total package of the player you're evaluating. Kasper is also a really good player on the ice, but his drive and willingness to improve can absolutely vault him a few spots higher in the draft than someone whith more pure skill but lesser tools/drive.

 

[lomekian]

I really want to like this pick, but when you’re drafting a forward at 8, and the main ways to describe him are his “compete levels” and “character”, rather than his offensive playmaking abilities or scoring (which seem to be barely mentioned), it’s pretty hard to be excited

This is very similar to how they described Ras, Svech and Veleno (especially Veleno). The “intangibles”. Look how that worked out.

At some point, I think you need to weigh raw talent and skill a bit higher than “he’s a great guy”. Draper tried to show how committed he is by saying Kasper learned Swedish before joining the SHL. While a good story, things like learning a language shouldn’t be factors for deciding draft worthiness or NHL ability.

Ras was a size bully with mediocre skating. His big selling point was responsibility and hand-eye, both of which are only now starting to show worth at NHL level. Svech was a poor skater who still looked a good prospect (though a totally different kind of player in a different position) before being destroyed by injuries. Veleno never had Kasper's perpetual motor, was never quite as at home in the dirty areas, and has, at every level, taken time to adjust to the step up. Early viewings suggest Kasper is a bit like Veleno but everything is a bit more intense, slightly faster paced and a bit more physical.

I don't know how this is going to pan out, and certainly he appears a high floor, medium ceiling guy, but there are little suggestions of more. EG in the SHL playoffs he lead Rogle with 53.1 Corsi %, which is not nothing. Also its direction of travel. Every report suggest he was better at the end of the year than the start - whereas some of the others maintained their level. It seems unlikely (though possible) he'll be an elite 1C, but no one else obviously ticked that box either

 

[r0bert8841]

Yesss!!! I might have to make the trip to Angelholm this year with Kasper/Neiderbach/Wallinder all playing together.

I was convinced that I wanted Kasper during those Rogle playoff games, the kid had a real coming out party. Then He looked really good for Austria at the WHC too, played 18 min per game and was their best player. The kid can take his game to another level when the games matter. He absolutely has some untapped offensive potential that starting sneaking out at the tail end of the season.

Judging by Yzerman running up to the podium and Abbott flying to Montreal, I would guess there was some real uncertainty if Kasper was going to be available at 8. This may not have been possible without Matt Murray.

 

[NickH8]

Seems pretty clear to me. Those who watched him and have been posting on the draft thread all year and paying attention are either excited or may have picked a few other guys like Savoie but see why people like him and have him not too far behind on their rankings. Those who didn't watch are basing their rage on descriptions of the player, YouTube videos, stats, and scouting reports which are good but don't mention offense as much.

 

[RedHawkDown]

From what I gather he was also a fairly different player in junior versus at the mens level, where he was forced to play a more responsible game, ie “boring” to get ice time

 

[SCD]

So when does he put on a Wing's shirt?

 

[SantosHalper]

This wasn't hard to predict. Hard working, fast and smart 200-foot game center. Yzerman said that Kasper's offensive game underrated, is it too early to start "next Anze Kopitar" hype train? Welcome to Hockeytown!

Of course im bit dissaponted we passed Savoie but the same thing happened in 2019, when we passed Zegras for some German but things turn out ok.

 

[Zetterberg4Captain]

So when does he put on a Wing's shirt?

Sept 2024

 

[Ricelund]

For everyone worried about Kasper having "limited offensive upside"... remember this was the knock on Seider too.

 

[Reddwit]

You need a mix. You need to diversify your funds. If you're doing all high-ceiling, boom-or-bust types, you're going to both bust too often and have the wrong mix of play styles. But really, this isn't a binary thing, it's not one (high floor/low ceiling) or the other (low floor/high ceiling). These guys, and their mix of floors and ceilings, are on a spectrum.

This board had almost the same discussion when Larkin was drafted. Holland had far less rope than Yzerman does today, and so the Larkin pick was much more panned by this forum than Kasper has been tonight, but the same main point was being made. Larkin was too safe, too low of a ceiling, not enough skill, probably not top-6, waste of a pick, etc, etc. I don't recall the names people were submitting as better choices than Larkin at 15OA, but unless anyone was clearly saying Pastrnak, all of the detractors were wrong about the Larkin pick. Turns out he was indeed high-floor, but his ceiling was in fact higher than many thought.

Arguably ended up the 3rd best center in that draft, too.

 

[izlez]

This is not some deep level analysis, but I'm getting deja vu with Seider's "limited offensive upside"

Dominik Bokk was a countryman of Seider's that was a first round pick, a year older, and a forward.
Their offensive production was comparable when they played on the same international teams.

Marco Rossi is a countryman of Kasper's that was a #9 overall pick, 2.5 years older, and known for his offense.
Their offensive production was comparable when they played on the same international teams.

Kind of makes me doubt that analysis.

 

[haulinbass]

This wasn't hard to predict. Hard working, fast and smart 200-foot game center. Yzerman said that Kasper's offensive game underrated, is it too early to start "next Anze Kopitar" hype train? Welcome to Hockeytown!

Of course im bit dissaponted we passed Savoie but the same thing happened in 2019, when we passed Zegras for some German but things turn out ok.

Well thankfully Savoie doesn't look anything like Zegras did, so I wouldn't lose any sleep over it. I had Zegras ranked 3 at the time.

 

[SCD]

The DeBrincat trade worked in our favor, Ottawa would likely have taken Kasper.

 

[Roomba With a Bauer]

One thing I do like about Kaspar is he looks like a guy who will likely be able to stay a C at the NHL level instead of moving to wing. With his frame, Savoie may not have been able to handle C in the NHL.

 

[Hen Kolland]

(Misc seems to be heavily based on physical attributes like size)

Doesn't seem like...it absolutely is. Miscellaneous is actually a terrible title because it's pretty much everything to do with measurements, genetics, and athletic ability (not including skating).

Every year, I have one and only one question, and they never ask it. Where was this guy on the team’s draft board? Edvinsson was second on Dallas’ board. Was he second on Detroit’s? First? Fifth? How high would Yzerman have taken Seider? Raymond? Kasper?

I think this is generally a respect thing. On one hand, you don't want to parade around and say that you think other prospects are bad, but on the more important hand, you don't want to say "Marco Kasper was our 5th favorite player" because that sends the wrong message to the player. Plausible deniability. I don't want Marco to believe that he is only here because the people we liked more than him were gone. The only thing I'd be okay with is the phrasing "we considered him a lottery pick" or "we were worried he wouldn't be available at 8". The latter being something that Draper essentially said.

As for what our staff believes, the context clues mean a lot. We damn near submitted our pick before Chicago finished announcing theirs. Yzerman stated plainly that they believe he can play in the top 6 in time, hinted that he has an outside chance to play this fall. Draper talking about not knowing if he'd be available at 8.

All of these things shed some light on your question, but having an explicitly stated ranking? Yeah, you'll never have that information unless someone leaks our draft board.

 

[Filppula]

Watch his game against the US in the World Championships and try to tell me that there isn't some offense in there. And I'm not being snarky with you...I mean, listen to Stevie's interview after the pick. "We think he has some untapped offensive potential. Whether it's this year or next year, we think he can be a top 6 center for our team in the future."

I mean, I can't believe there is even any questioning of this pick. Our brain trust has crushed the top of the draft the past 3 years. This kid has the seal of approval from everyone, including some of our brain trusts most successful picks. If my idiot ass can see how much of a slam dunk this is, then anyone should be able to. I do know that a 5'8" center or 5'9 winger was not what this team needed. Tired of watching them get man handled out there.

I don’t mind the pick. But surely a pick 8 and we can expect a top 6 centre. “We think”, doesn’t exactly inspire confidence.

 

[cvaicunas]

Kasper was ranked 7th by Black Book. They had his competitiveness rated at 9/9, skating and hockey sense at 8/9

Hockey sense, compete, 200 ft game, has played in a pro league already. Seems like the Yzerman's usual wants for a first round pick.

 

[SCD]

I don’t mind the pick. But surely a pick 8 and we can expect a top 6 centre. “We think”, doesn’t exactly inspire confidence.

Yzerman has no interest in inspiring anyone. The man's second goal in life is to tell the public as little as possible. You should be familiar with it by now.

 

[cvaicunas]

I don’t mind the pick. But surely a pick 8 and we can expect a top 6 centre. “We think”, doesn’t exactly inspire confidence.

I am not sure I have ever heard Yzerman suggest a certainty with any of his picks. I think making bold definitive statements is a good way to put additional pressure on the organization and the prospect. I think even most hockey fans understand that there is no guarantee with any prospect. There are unexpected twists and turns in every player's development paths.

 

[Kronwalled55]

Personally, I loved his highlight reel. He scores goals in a variety of ways: Slapshots, deflections, wrap arounds. He uses his creativity in flashes and doesn't try to do too much. This team has desperately needed another great center to carry the workload and this should be a great pick.

I don't buy any "ceiling" talk when referring to offense. Three of our best players completely shattered those expectations: Larkin, Bertuzzi, Seider.

 

[AD1066]

Hoping for the best. I kind of wish Savoie had been picked before us, so I wouldn't be second-guessing this one nearly as much. But Stevie hasn't done us wrong yet, with all of Raymond, Seider, and Edvinsson looking like great picks.

 

[ThankGord]

High compete, high hockey IQ, that’s an Yzerman pick.