Top Red Wings prospect Marco Kasper is set for his season debut (and second ever NHL game) as Detroit negotiates injuries and illness across its forward group

After today's Red Wings practice, coach Derek Lalonde provided an update on the health of his roster.  Given that Detroit called up Marco Kasper, the team's 2022 first round pick and irrefutably its most NHL-ready prospect, this morning under emergency conditions, it was clear the Red Wings expected to need some reinforcements.  Then, at the afternoon's practice, neither Tyler Motte nor Andrew Copp was present.

In his post-practice availability, Lalonde said that Motte is "day-to-day" as he gets further evaluation for an upper body injury, while for Copp, who also missed yesterday's morning skate, it was just a maintenance day.

After Christian Fischer went down with an injury earlier this week, Lalonde noted that they likely wouldn't call up a player like Kasper as a short-term fill-in because it would come at the cost of significant minutes in Grand Rapids.  What's different now?  Per Lalonde, the difference is that a "significant role" is on offer for Kasper to step into.  "I think we'll see him in our top nine, and we'll see him on both special teams," he said of what that role could look like.

As for what he's looking for from Kasper, Lalonde said, "I still need him to play within himself.  I think early last year, this was new for him.  He tried to do too much.  You saw there just wasn't time and space.  Probably what we ask of the other guys: manage your game, don't turn pucks over, play with energy, get above, be on top.  I think a little help with some forecheck, just some pop in his skating, some energy.  We'll be cautious with how we judge him.  This is his second NHL game."

Kasper made his NHL debut against the Maple Leafs on April 2, 2023.  Separated by over a full season, his second NHL game feels a bit like a debut 2.0, but with the Red Wings searching for a spark, Kasper has the chance to make a strong impression.

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