The first round of the 2022 NHL draft was eagerly awaited.
After all, the race for the first overall pick was as open as it had been for a long time and from an Austrian point of view, Marco Kasper represented a hot future stock. The mood at Montreal’s Bell Center was good, especially when the Canadiens announced their first pick in Slovakian Juraj Slafkovsky (all info >>>).
Just a few minutes later, the Detroit Red Wings were eighth in line and decided to secure the rights to 18-year-old Kasper (read HERE >>>). The son of former ÖEHV team player Peter Kasper gets the chance to make his first NHL steps in one of the most traditional franchises.
Kasper first overwhelmed, then self-confident
This is currently being rebuilt and has little to do with the teams that have won the Stanley Cup eleven times. But led by general manager and Detroit legend Steve Yzerman, the Red Wings are on track to be back in contention for the prestigious trophy anytime soon.
The native of Innsbruck is right in the middle of it, and he could become the second Austrian player in the Detroit Red Wings after Thomas Vanek. The Styrian played for the Motor City team in 2015/16 and in his last season in 2018/19.
Kasper was therefore overwhelmed in his first reaction to “Sportsnet”: “I am so thrilled to have been chosen by such a great organization. Detroit has had very good players in the past and I am grateful, also to my family. It is an incredible feeling.”
Foto: © getty
After the ÖEHV crack was allowed to put on the jersey of his first NHL team for the first time, the first interview marathon and numerous photo opportunities followed. The fourth first-round Austrian in history is still used to many discussions with media representatives from the Scouting Combines, the photo requests rather less.
But he also cut a good figure with them, but he was down-to-earth as usual. In a large round of media, Kasper is more self-confident and quickly makes one thing clear: the young Austrian came to make a lasting impression and to make a name for himself.
“I’m a very competitive player and I always want to win,” said Kasper, confident that Detroit “is a really good team. There’s a great hockey culture and the Red Wings are a great franchise. I’m very excited. “
Detroit is in the middle of a rebuild
The center is aware of the ongoing rebuild at the founding member of the NHL, but it has also brought great talent to Detroit in recent years. For example, the German defender Moritz Seider was voted sixth in 2019 and was crowned the best rookie in the NHL in his debut season this year.
Kasper also knows the right-hand shooter from his early days at Rögle BK. The 1.93 meter giant was also honed in Angelholm into the jewel it is today. Lucas Raymond also has one of Sweden’s greatest ice hockey talents on the Red Wings roster, having already scored 23 goals in his first year in the NHL.
And in the last draft, Simon Edvinsson secured the services of a robust defensive talent, with whom Kasper is happy that he no longer has to face him in the future, as he currently does in the SHL.
Kasper is now the Red Wings’ fourth straight first-round pick to play in the Swedish hockey league in his draft year. And in the long run, Detroit will also close a gap in the center position with him. Dylan Larkin is currently a top player who can be called up in the middle.
Behind them, however, neither Michael Rasmussen nor Joe Veleno came forward. The former Graz99ers crack and his 22-year-old team-mate were both drafted in the first round of the 2017 and 2018 talent shows, with Rasmussen even being number ninth. However, it was not enough for more than a bottom six role.
“Didn’t think I’d be drafted eighth”
Kasper should surpass this in the future and at least take a place in one of the first two lines of attack. His flexibility is good for him here, although Steve Yzerman emphasized to “ESPN” that he had picked the Carinthian as a center.
Incidentally, the 18-year-old was visibly surprised to have been elected so early. “I honestly didn’t think I could get drafted eighth. I didn’t know which team it would be.” The talks with Detroit at the Scouting Combine in early June apparently gave him no clues either.
“I think I had a good meeting with them at the Combine. But I didn’t think it would be Detroit.” He feels all the more “very honored to be in the organization now,” said Kasper, who “difficulty puts this trip into words.”
“I want to play in the NHL as soon as possible and help the Detroit Red Wings win.”
“It’s just the hard work I put in with the help of my parents and my former clubs KAC and Rögle, so it’s a special night,” admits the attacker.
Kasper wants to “join the NHL as soon as possible”
After the draft, he’s going to Motor City for the first time. The Development Camp is coming up there soon, where Kasper will get his first impression of Detroit and the franchise. He is already looking forward to the city, “to meet all the boys and to be part of this great organization”.
The left-handed shooter can make initial recommendations in the development camp, but it is unlikely to see the 18-year-old play in North America next season. Because he still has a valid contract in Rögle and will be graduating from school in Angelholm next year.
And it certainly wouldn’t hurt his development to play another season with the Swedish CHL winners and be a big part of head coach Cam Abbott’s line-up. However, he does not want to completely rule out the NHL variant either.
“I’ll have to wait and see what Detroit says,” emphasizes Kasper and at the same time raves about Rögle: “It’s definitely the best place for my development at the moment. It’s a great club, a great organization to be with.” But: “I will also speak to the Red Wings.”
And the ÖEHV jewel now has only one goal anyway: the NHL. And “as soon as possible. I want to help the Detroit Red Wings win.”
Welcome to your future, kid! pic.twitter.com/17RZuety52
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) July 8, 2022
Text source: © LAOLA1.at
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