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The Detroit Red Wings are building around young stars like Marco Kasper.
The Detroit Red Wings are gearing up for a very important 2025-26 NHL season. Detroit has missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for a franchise record nine straight seasons. With young stars such as Lucas Raymond, Moritz Seider, and Marco Kasper, the team hopes they can avoid a 10th straight miss in the year ahead.
It won’t be just the young stars the Red Wings rely on, though. Veteran additions James van Riemsdyk, Mason Appleton, and Travis Hamonic joined the roster this summer. Other established vets on the roster include Patrick Kane, Andrew Copp, and J.T. Compher.
Of course, you can’t forget the names such as Alex DeBrincat and Dylan Larkin. Both players have shown to be two of the most underrated players in the NHL. DeBrincat is one of the more underrated goal scorers, nearly netting 40 goals for the third time in his career.
However, the Red Wings’ most important player for the upcoming season is not a veteran. Detroit has a chance to make the postseason in 2025-26. But they need a lot to fall their way if this is to happen.
The biggest domino that needs to fall is Kasper. The 21-year-old Austrian center is already one of the most important players on this team. And he could be the player who moves the needle for the Red Wings this season.
Marco Kasper Broke Out Late In 2024-25
Gregory Shamus/Getty ImagesMarco Kasper is one of the most important members of the Detroit Red Wings already.
Like many Red Wings last season, Kasper did not play well out of the gate. The former first-round pick managed just seven points in 32 games before the calendar flipped to 2025. Once it flipped to 2025, though, the Austrian found another gear.
Kasper was one of the most improved Red Wings following the hiring of Todd McLellan as head coach. It took him a few games to adjust, but he emerged as one of Detroit’s best offensive options down the stretch. He scored 30 points in the final 45 games of the season.
McLellan used Kasper as the first line left wing for much of the season. However, injuries forced the veteran bench boss to deploy the young star at his natural center position. No matter where he played, though, he did his job and was one of the team’s standout performers on a consistent basis.
Red Wings Need Someone To Step Up In 2025-26
Kasper turned in a very promising effort in 2024-25. Especially considering how the season began. However, Detroit did not make a big splash this offseason. And to an extent, they didn’t really address any of their biggest needs.
Kasper finished the 2025-26 season with 19 goals, putting him one off the 20-goal mark. Despite scoring all but two of his goals in the second half of the season, he was the fifth-highest goal scorer on this team.
van Riemsdyk could certainly provide some scoring depth. Outside of him, though, the issue of Detroit’s scoring depth was left unresolved. Players like Copp or Jonatan Berggren could step up. However, both of them are big “ifs” at this point.
Kasper is one of the Red Wings’ most promising players. And he has the ability to become a legitimate top-six player in this league. If he breaks out in 2025-26, then the Red Wings could be well on their way to a postseason spot.
However, if he takes a step back, Detroit will struggle to score goals. Kasper suffering a sophomore slump could set them back a bit. And without his goals, they may not have enough to win the games needed to earn a spot in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Tristin McKinstry Tristin has over 10 years experience writing at various blogs. He has spent the last three years gaining professional experience in the sports media world. He currently works with ClutchPoints and Pro Football & Sports Network alongside Heavy Sports. More about Tristin McKinstry
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