The Free Press’s Helene St. James filed two articles this morning, with the first discussing Marco Kasper’s maturation into a player who believes that he can earn a spot on the Red Wings’ roster…
“I want to play with confidence, make my plays that I know I’m capable of and work as hard as I can,” Kasper said Saturday. “I think last year I was not maybe as ready as I am this year. This year I worked really hard in the summer — I did last year as well, but it was just different. It was coming here and not really knowing what was going to happen. This year I feel more comfortable. I know the guys, the coaching staff, the systems.”
Kasper, 20, appeared in one game for the Wings in April 2023, after his season in the Swedish Hockey League had ended. An injury waylaid plans to play him more, and Kasper’s performance at last year’s camp made it clear he needed at least a season in the AHL with the Grand Rapids Griffins. Kasper posted 35 points in 71 games, and then turned heads with four goals and three assists in nine playoff games.
“He doesn’t even look like the same athlete as last year at this time in camp,” coach Derek Lalonde said. “He built some confidence from his growth in GR last year, and I think that playoff run was very valuable for him. He’s got some attitude into camp this year, which is certainly a positive.”
Kasper spent most of the summer in his native Austria, where his on-ice work included Olympic qualification games. Off the ice, he did what he could to turbocharge his physical development.
“Just trying to become a man, if you want to say it like that,” he said.
And St. James’ second article discusses Ville Husso’s health as the Red Wings’ goaltender attempts to earn one of three goaltending spots on the roster:
“It’s always tough not playing, especially last year — that second injury, you just want to get out there, and then you’re not ready to go,” Husso said Saturday. “At least I got some extra time this summer. I’ve been training and I feel good now and I’m excited to play some preseason games.”
Husso, 29, was limited to 19 games in 2023-24, felled first in mid-December by a lower-body injury and then again when he attempted a comeback in mid-February. Now he’s competing with Alex Lyon, last season’s hero, and Cam Talbot, a newcomer, for minutes.
“The No. 1 thing is to be healthy,” Husso said. “No injuries any more. Then just battle. We have a good competition between all of us and I think it’s a good situation for all of us — competing, pushing each other to be better every day.”
Husso and Lyon are both entering the last years of their contracts; Talbot is starting the first of a two-year deal. Lyon rose from third-stringer to starter last season, but asked about the goaltending depth chart, coach Derek Lalonde called it, “a true clean slate.”
“Over the last two years, all three of those goalies — Ville, Cam and Alex — have had really nice stretches, proved they can win in this league,” Lalonde said. “We’ll look for one to step up.”
