Marco Kasper isn’t shying away from facing off against former Red Wing Anthony Mantha, despite not showing much scoring prowess in training camp and the preseason.
Kasper, who stands at 6-1 and weighs 187 pounds, engaged in a rare brawl with the 6-5, 234-pound Mantha during Saturday’s 5-2 exhibition win against the Washington Capitals at Little Caesars Arena.
Both Kasper and Mantha were first-round picks of the Red Wings, with Mantha chosen 20th in 2013 and Kasper eighth in 2022.
Coach Derek Lalonde acknowledged the significant disparity in size between the two fighters, noting that Kasper will need to adapt to different styles of play.
Kasper had previously fought Corson Cuelemans of Columbus during the Prospects Tournament and initiated a scuffle around the Toronto net during his lone NHL game last season.
Fellow Red Wings prospect Cross Hanas praised Kasper’s determination and competitive spirit, especially when facing opponents significantly larger than himself.
Hanas, on the other hand, impressed during the game by scoring a goal, following up on two two-goal performances in the Prospects Tournament.
Coach Lalonde commended Hanas for his ability to finish plays and make offensive contributions, emphasizing the importance of giving young players like Hanas valuable playing time to develop their skills.
Hanas expressed his excitement about playing at Little Caesars Arena for the first time in front of a home crowd, highlighting the significance of the experience.
Hanas had a challenging season last year, limited to just 30 games with the Grand Rapids Griffins due to a shoulder injury that eventually required season-ending surgery.
Despite the setback, he emphasized his commitment to continuous improvement and adapting to the team’s systems. He aims to excel in all aspects of the game, both with and without the puck.
Regarding Robby Fabbri, who suffered an upper-body injury in the first period of the game and didn’t return, Coach Lalonde reassured that the injury is not expected to be long-term.
Fabbri has faced injury challenges in the past but is expected to return to practice early in the week after being cautious with his recovery.
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