The Detroit Red Wings practiced on Friday at Little Caesars Arena ahead of a consequential game against the Nashville Predators tomorrow (2 PM EDT on Bally Sports Detroit), and they did so with roster emergency recall Marco Kasper, but without Tyler Motte or Andrew Copp.
After practice, coach Derek Lalonde told the media that Jeff Petry will return to the lineup tomorrow, that Alex Lyon will start opposite Juuse Saros, and that the team may go with 11 forwards and 7 defensemen depending on the health of Motte and Copp.
The Hockey News’s Sam Stockton kicks off our survey of the Red Wings beat writers’ notebooks from today’s practice:
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.”
And in lieu of a practice report, the Free Press’s Helene St. James posted a 2:21 video of Marco Kasper speaking with the media:
Update: Here’s more in written form from St. James:
Although captain Dylan Larkin said it’s not “all doom and gloom,” they’ve lost two straight and are 1-3-0 as they go on the road to play in Nashville on Saturday and at the New York Islanders on Tuesday. Hence why the Wings looked to Kasper: He’s a mix of grit and skill and energy.
“It’s a significant role,” coach Derek Lalonde said. “I think we’ll see him in our top nine; I think we’ll see him on both special teams. I think it’s a person that can help us.”
…
Kasper, the Wings’ first-round pick in 2022 (at No. 8 overall), practiced on a line with Michael Rasmussen and Jonatan Berggren.
Lalonde explained the reasoning: “I think Ras can complement anyone because he forechecks, he gets you second touches with pucks because he’ll go get the puck for you. He goes to the net. He does some hard things. And Berggren has been making a lot of plays. I know it hasn’t translated into a lot of offense, but he’s been creating some of those chances for. So I like the potential of it. But, we have the potential of 11 and 7, and I’m not opposed to getting Marco on the wing at times with some other type of players. I think he can generate some energy and touches.”
…
“This training camp he looked like he wanted a spot,” Larkin said. “He worked his tail off for it. That’s what I noticed. He was one of the few that stood out like they wanted a job, and he certainly got that with first call-up guy. He’s got a good tool set. He’s a good skater. Probably the thing I like the most is how competitive he is. He uses his body really well. He’s a worker. It’s impressive to see. Hopefully he can come in and do that for us.” We’re kind of in a spot where we need him now.”
