Former Red Wings 8th overall pick emerges as a key target for the Canucks, according to insider
The Red Wings once selected Marco Kasper 8th overall, and he was higher on the Canucks list; now, insider Rick Dhaliwal says Vancouver still really likes him.
The Detroit Red Wings were hopeful about 21-year-old center Marco Kasper, who finished last season on a strong note with nine goals and five assists in his last 18 games.
Coming into the 2025-26 season, it seemed his line alongside Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane could potentially be very potent.
What Marco Kasper has done this season that has led to trade whispers
However, to say the start to the season has been underwhelming is an understatement, with only three goals and zero assists in 27 games.
Red Wings head coach Todd McLellan has tried to mix and match positions and roles to try to recapture the fire he saw late last season.
McLellan has not seen the result, as Kasper has gone 16 games without registering a point, and it has sparked rumblings of his assignment to Grand Rapids, where several forwards are pushing to get into the NHL.
The Red Wings drafted Kasper 8th overall, but at the time, the Vancouver Canucks ranked him even higher on their draft list.
Recently, NHL insider Rick Dhaliwal has indicated that the Canucks are very interested in Kasper and are keeping him on their target list.
"The one center the Canucks have liked for a long time is Marco Kasper. He was drafted 8th overall and Canucks had him ranked higher on their list."
- Rick Dhaliwal
- Rick Dhaliwal
Why an AHL demotion could be the first step for Marco Kasper
If the Red Wings do decide to send Kasper down, it could prove to be the best option for him to work on his confidence with the first-place Griffins, much like other prospects before him.
They could then recall him when he is again playing to his best, which is what they originally drafted him to accomplish. They picked him to potentially place on the top line to add to their scoring.
If he doesn't work out in Motown, maybe the West Coast of Canada could suit him better.
Previously on HockeyLatest
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 5 | 91 ANSWERS Former Red Wings 8th overall pick emerges as a key target for the Canucks, according to insider Should the Canucks try to acquire Marco Kasper? | ||
| Yes | 38 | 41.8 % |
| No | 53 | 58.2 % |
| List of polls | ||