Marco Kasper got off to a slow start this season, as did the Grand Rapids Griffins.

The Red Wings’ top pick in the 2022 NHL Draft scored a goal in his third game of the season, then went six weeks before lighting the lamp again. That goal was followed by a seven-game pointless streak.

But he didn’t quit working. And as he adjusted to a new league and a new life in North America, results began to show.

The post Marco Kasper Takes Development Leap in Griffins Streak (+) appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Jonatan Berggren netted his sixth goal in the past eight Grand Rapids Griffins games Saturday and yet his scoring play may not have been what the Detroit Red Wings management team liked about his game.

Berggren dove to knock the puck away from Manitoba Moose forward Patrick Ford who was about to fire the puck into an empty net in overtime. The Griffins ended up losing 4-3 in a shootout, but his effort was applauded on social media.

The Moose did end up winning the game, but it was a Berggren play that the Red Wings will remember when they need to call up a forward. The Red Wings know Berggren can create offense, but they want him to work on the details of his game. They want to see smart defensive play, more consistency in his overall game, and the elimination of ill-timed penalties.

The post Griffins Progress Report: Berggren Shows He Has ‘D’ in His Game (+) appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

When Detroit Red Wings 2021 first-round pick Simon Edvinsson made the move to North America last season, he indicated that he wasn’t feeling comfortable playing on this side of the Atlantic Ocean until after Christmas.

Maybe there’s something to that analysis. Marco Kasper has certainly caught fire since the holiday season.

From Dec. 27 onward, Kasper’s totals show him collecting 11 points over a 10-game span for the Grand Rapids Girffins, with 4-7-11 numbers. Included in that streak was a sensational weekend, resulting in the 19-year-old Austrian earning selecton as the American Hockey League player of the week.

Another day, another goal for Kasper pic.twitter.com/nbbLyezaEO

— Grand Rapids Griffins (@griffinshockey) January 21, 2024

The eighth overall pick by Detroit in the 2022 NHL entry draft registered five points (3-2-5) in two Griffins victories this past weekend at the Manitoba Moose. Kasper’s offensive output was helping the Griffins rally from a three-goal deficit on each night. He scored the game-winner in overtime on Friday and secured his first two-goal game in the AHL on Saturday before assisting on Zach Aston-Reese’s game-winner with 12 seconds remaining in the contest.

To emphasize how much of a tear Kasper has been on of late, the AHL rookie has 19 points (6-13-19) in 36 games this season. That places him fourth overall in scoring on the Grand Rapids roster.

Offense Only One Element Kasper Can Bring To Red Wings

While point production is definitely what brings attention to a prospect, there’s much more than goals and assists that Kasper is capable of delivering on the ice.

Marco Kasper scores after some good patience with the puck in front of the net, in his strongest AHL game to date (3 points, +2) #LGRW pic.twitter.com/B1KfYFsZU5

— IcehockeyGifs (@IcehockeyG) December 30, 2023

“He’s going to be a complete, 200-foot player,” Griffins coach Dan Watson said of Kasper. “Marco’s a competitor and that’s what he’s gotta keep doing. He’s gotta keep competing around the net, fighting for those loose pucks, trying to make plays as much as he can.

“He’s learning the pro game, learning how to play in his own zone, when to make plays, when to maybe keep it simple. But he’s a smart kid, he works extremely hard and that’s gonna be part of his identity as a pro hockey player, is that compete level.”

The post Red Wings Prospect Kasper AHL Player of Week appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Marco Kasper produced the kind of weekend performance the Detroit Red Wings hoped they would see from him when they drafted him No. 8 in the 2022 NHL draft.

The day after scoring an overtime goal to give the Grand Rapids Griffins a win, Kasper scored twice and assisted on the game-winner in a come-from-behind behind 4-3 win against the Manitoba. This was his second three-point game of the season, and fifth multi-point game, for the young Austrian forward.

The Red Wings know Kasper has a hard-nosed style that will get him in the NHL, but are hoping they will see him building his offensive game in his time in Grand Rapids. Kasper played one game last season in Detroit.

The Griffins scored four third-period goals after falling behind 3-0 in the game. Austin Czarnik and Zach Aston-Reese also scored for the Griffins in this road game. On Friday, the Griffins erased a 4-1 deficit to win in OT. Grand Rapids (16-15-4-1) are in third place in the AHL’s Central Division. That’s a playoff position. The Red Wings want to see the Griffins in the playoffs to give their prospects that experience.

Simon Edvinsson assisted on the first Kasper goal. Edvinsson now has 21 points in 34 games.

The Griffins scored four unanswered goals in the third period for their second straight come-from-behind victory in a 4-3 win over the Manitoba Moose at the Canada Life Centre.

: https://t.co/TFXt64I9qA pic.twitter.com/1mFfp06XdL

— Grand Rapids Griffins (@griffinshockey) January 21, 2024

Defenseman Antti Tuomisto also added two assists in the win to give him three points on the weekend. After missing the start of the season with an injury, he has seven points in 16 games. He also had six points in five games for the Toledo Walleye when he was playing there as a step in his injury recovery. Although Tuomisto isn’t considered a premium prospect, he is making the Red Wings take notice.

The post Marco Kasper 5-Point Weekend Sparks Griffins to Two Wins appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Detroit Red Wings prospects were leading the charge in the Grand Rapids Griffins‘  come-from-behind 5-4 overtime win against the Manitoba Moose Friday night.

Marco Kasper (drafted eighth overall in 2022) scored the game-winner 48 seconds into OT.  He also had an assist, giving him his fourth multi-point game of the season.  Jonatan Berggren (drafted 33rd overall in 2018) scored with 1:41 remaining in regulation to force overtime. He has eight points in seven games since the Red Wings returned him to the Griffins. He has 26 points in 26 games for the Griffins this season.

Elmer Soderblom (drafted 159th overall in 2019)  also netted his fourth goal of the season for Grand Rapids, and finished with two points. Carter Mazur (drafted 7oth overall in 2021) posted two assists to give him 10 points in his past 12 games. Defenseman Antti Tuomisto (drafted 35th overall in 2019) also had an assist.

KASPER

GR – 5, MB – 4 #GoGRG pic.twitter.com/jxJvTzbrP5

— Grand Rapids Griffins (@griffinshockey) January 20, 2024

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

• Alex Lyon was steady again, but the Red Wings couldn’t score any goals against the Carolina Hurricanes.
• Detroit prospect Noah Dower Nilsson suffers an injury on the other shoulder.
• With Moritz Seider, Ben Chiarot, Jake Walman and Jeff Petry playing well defensively, the Red Wings are harder to beat on the road.
• Detroit assistant general manager Kris Draper is finding success in a different arena.

Red Wings Next Game

The Red Wings will be the other Detroit team playing Sunday. They will entertain the Tampa Bay Lightning, a team that is tied with them for the first wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. Originally, the game was scheduled for 5 p.m., but it has been moved to  7 p.m. because the Detroit Lions NFL playoff game (against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers) starts at 3 p.m.

Hockey Now Network

Boston: Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic’s domestic abuse trial scheduled for Feb. 16.

Buffalo: ESPN Insider Kevin Weekes says the Buffalo Sabres may consider moving Casey Mittelstadt. He’s the young player they haven’t yet re-signed.

Florida: The Florida Panthers had an epic penalty kill meltdown in a 6-4 loss to Minnesota.

Philadelphia: Coach John Tortorella warns that more trades are coming. Don’t fall in love with Philadelphia Flyers.

Pittsburgh: Odds makers have changed their mind about coach Mike Sullivan. He has gone from short odds to 33-1 to be the next NHL coach fired. Pittsburgh Penguins.

The post The Daily: Marco Kasper OT Goal Lifts Griffins; Red Wings Short on Shots appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

It was a big bounce back win for the Grand Rapids Griffins, and several future Detroit Red Wings hopefuls were playing significantly roles in the outcome.

A 5-2 victory over the Chicago Wolves on Wednesday came after what was arguably rock bottom for the Griffins. In back-to-back home games on the weekend against the Toronto Marlies, they were beaten 7-3 and 5-0.

Detroit draft picks were combining for eight points and also earning the win.

HE'S BACK #GoGRG pic.twitter.com/U86TE02V9Q

— Grand Rapids Griffins (@griffinshockey) November 15, 2023

Sebastian Cossa, victimized in the 7-3 setback, rebounded to stop 26 of 28 shots and earn the win, ending a personal four-game (0-2-2) skid. Winger Carter Mazur, a 2021 draftee, was netting his first two goals of the AHL season.

“You’ve just gotta hit the reset button,” Cossa, selected 15th overall in 2021, told the Griffins website. ”

Griffins Berggren Likes Playing With Kasper

Jonatan Berggren , a 2018 second-round choice, was also scoring his first of the season, while 2022 first-round pick Marco Kasper was dishing out a pair of helpers.

Prior to Wednesday’s victory, Kasper’s offensive account was showing one goal through 10 games.

“He’s a skilled player, so it makes it easier,” Berggren told the Griffins website of playing with Kasper. Berggren (1-1-2) also enjoyed a two-point game.

WE THIS #GoGRG pic.twitter.com/HYPU49tXui

— Grand Rapids Griffins (@griffinshockey) November 15, 2023

Defenseman Simon Edvinsson, the sixth overall selection in 2021, collected an assist on one of Mazur’s goal. The unit of Berggren, Kasper and 2019 draftee Elmer Soderblom was combining for two goals and four points.

“They talk a lot,” Grand Rapids coach Dan Watson said. “They’re communicating when they get off the ice. They’re good friends off the ice, too, so it’s just a matter of finding some chemistry. Saturday, I saw some positive things but they weren’t connecting. (Wednesday) they were connecting. Working together as a line and complementing each other.”

Berggren spent the second half of last season in the NHL with the Red Wings and has already recalled to play one game this season. He’s certain that his time as a regular in Detroit will be ultimately earned.

“I’m confident in my game,” Berggren said. “I know how good I am.”

The post Red Wings Prospects Shine Through In Griffins Victory appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Marco Kasper has talent. That much is undeniable.

But there’s plenty to learn about being a pro and playing in North America. That’s undeniable, also.

“I’ve been doing better the past couple of games,” Kasper said in a recent interview. “(In) the beginning it was tough, but now I think I get more and more comfortable finding like chemistry of my alignments and stuff like that.”

The post Kasper Must Prove He Can Have Big Impact on Smaller Ice (+) appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

In 2022 first-round draft pick Marco Kasper, the Detroit Red Wings are of the belief that they are getting the full package in terms of his talents as a hockey player.

They see someone who will battle for every inch of ice between the boards. As well, in Kasper people in the Red Wings organization are witnessing someone who’s willing to go that extra mile beyond defensive responsibility to antagonize opposing players.

Think Ryan O’Reilly with a sprinkling of Brad Marchand.

The post Compete Level of Red Wings Prospect Kasper Impressing Griffins (+) appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

The Red Wings sent Jonatan Berggren back to Grand Rapids on Sunday after he had spent most of a week with the team as injury insurance.

Now, the Wings hope Berggren can inject a little life into a slumbering Griffins offense. The Griffins may also benefit from the return of Carter Mazur from the injury list. The Red Wings officially sent him to Grand Rapids today and he will play Wednesday against the Cleveland Monsters.

The Griffins need help on the road. They are 0-3 and have been outscored 11-3 in those games.

Berggren had 15 goals in 67 games with Detroit last season and four in seven games in Grand Rapids. This after netting 21 goals during the 2021-22 season with the Griffins. It’s the kind of production Grand Rapids is likely  hoping to see fr0m the 23-year-old. who was the 33rd overall pick in the 2018 NHL draft.

Griffins Struggle Out of the Gate

Currently, after six games, the Griffins are 2-3-1 and in the midst of a four-game losing streak. They’ve only scored 14 goals this season, tied for the third-lowest total in the league.

Taro Hirose is the Griffins’ leading scorer with three goals and four assists in six games. Simon Edvinsson (drafted sixth overall in 2021) has two goals. Berggren (33rd overall in 2018) has three assists in just two games this season. That’s why the Griffins hope he can provide that spark on offense..

Part of the offensive struggles involve talent;  most of the Red Wings’ top draft choices in recent years have been defensemen, and some of the younger offensive players, such as Amadeus Lombardi and Marcus Kasper, could still be adjusting to the speed of the AHL.

Others, like Elmer Soderblom (0-1-1), Marco Kasper (1-0-1) and Cross Hanas (1-2-3, all in six games) are being counted on to get going by the Griffins. They currently sit in fifth place in the AHL’s Central Division, three points behind first-place Texas and Manitoba.

First-year coach Dan Watson is charged with getting the Griffins back into the playoffs this season. The Red Wings wants the Griffins players to learn what it’s like and what it takes to make a run in the playoffs. It’s a key part of their development as potential NHL contributors down the road. The youngsters don’t learn as much if the playoffs are not part of the equation.

The post Berggren Off to Griffins; Can He Spark Sputtering Offense? appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Red Wings prospects made their presence known over the weekend,  despite the Grand Rapids Griffins getting swept on the road.

The Griffins lost a pair of games to the Colorado Eagles, 6-3 on Friday and 2-1 Saturday.

In Friday’s game, William Wallinder (drafted in the second round in 2020) and Marco Kasper  (first round, 2022) scored their first AHL goals, both in the second period. Michael Hutchinson, in Grand Rapids on a pro tryout, stopped 35 shots in goal.

In Saturday’s contest, Sebastian Cossa (first round, 2021) stopped 31 shots, while Cross Hanas (second round, 2020) scored his first goal of the season. It was the first time this season the Griffins allowed fewer than 40 shots on goal.

https://t.co/AUVu84HwJ2 pic.twitter.com/6NsIYpaygn

— Grand Rapids Griffins (@griffinshockey) October 22, 2023

The Griffins played the Eagles twice at home last weekend to start the season and finished the season series with the sweep at Colorado.

While the players were off Sunday, Griffins announcer Bob Kaser was back at work, filling in for Red Wings announcer Ken Kal for the team’s game with Calgary. Kal underwent surgery after returning from Ottawa on Saturday. He is expected to be out for a week or more.

Thank you to all who wished me well and sent prayers. It truly is appreciated. I was in quite a bit of pain yesterday calling the game. Had a procedure done as soon as we got back from Ottawa. All went well. Will be on IR for at least a week. Enjoy @bkaser1 call.

— Ken Kal (@KenKalDRW) October 22, 2023

A Return Stint

Kaser is in his 24th season calling games for the Griffins. He also has served as a Griffins vice president and president of the team’s youth foundation.

He last filled in for Kal in the 2016-17 season. That season, he did 13 radio broadcasts and one TV broadcast for the Red Wings.

In addition to Sunday’s broadcast, Kaser will call Red Wings home games against Seattle on Tuesday and Winnipeg Thursday and a road game at Boston on Saturday. Kal could return as soon as Oct. 30, when the Red Wings are on the road against the New York Islanders.

The Griffins, 2-2 on the season, return to the ice on Friday with a home game against Cleveland.

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