Last season, when rookie forward Marco Kasper netted 19 goals, the Detroit Red Wings put him front and center on locker cleanout day. He was touted as a symbol of the bright future ahead for the franchise.
Following a sophomore season struggle in which he wound up slumping to nine goals, Kasper was nowhere to be seen on locker cleanout day.
At first, speculation was that the team was protecting him from more media scrutiny over how hard he’d been bitten by the sophomore jinx. Well, news out of Austria is offering a further indication of why Kasper was a no-show.
He’s dealing with a knee injury.
According to reports out of Austria, Kasper is hobbling around on crutches. He told the Austrian website Hockey News Info that he’d been struggling with knee issues for much of the 2025-26 NHL season.
An end-of-season MRI revealed the damage. Kasper won’t require surgery. However, he’s been shut down from most physical activity for the time being.
“I currently have to use crutches and have a brace on my knee,” Kasper said.
Red Wings Kasper Won’t Play in Worlds
The injury will preclude Kasper from playing for Austria at next month’s IIHF World Championship.
“I would have loved to have been at the World Cup,” Kasper said. “It always makes me really proud to play for Austria.”
Instead, his 100% focus for the time being is on rehabbing his ailing knee to be ready for the start of the 2026-27 NHL campaign.
“I have to make sure my knee gets better so I can get back to full strength,” Kasper said.
Kasper was a key player for the Austrians at last year’s worlds. He accounted for four goals and three assists in eight games.
Austria will also be without Vancouver Canucks forward Marco Rossi. He’s withdrawn due to injury.
Kasper knows that his homeland will face some tough sledding without its top two NHL stars.
“Staying in the [top division] is the most important thing,” Kasper said.