Marco Kasper is the first to admit that his second season with the Detroit Red Wings – and his first full NHL season – was not optimal.

“Last season was full of ups and downs,” Kasper told Austrian website MeinBezirk. “There were a few things I had to learn, and sometimes that wasn’t easy.”

The numbers displayed the struggles that Kasper endured. His goal total plummeted from 19 to nine. Kasper dropped from 37 points to 19. A plus-one rating in 2024-25 gave way to an appalling minus-20 performance in 2025-26.

He could dwell on the ugliness of the past. Instead, Kasper is looking only ahead. But he’s not boiling down a turnaround in performance as something that can be measured merely in the numbers next to his name on the stats sheet.

“You set yourself goals, but basically, I just take it one day at a time,” Kasper said. “That’s what’s most important to me.

“I try to train well in the summer, have a good preseason, and then see how I can help the team.

“Whether that means scoring a lot of points or winning crucial battles, we’ll see. Ultimately, I try to play my game and give it my all every day.”

Red Wings Kasper Strives For Improvement

For Kasper, the bottom line is that he shows improvement in his game. He expects quantum leaps in ability to be carved out over summer training, and incremental improvements to continue throughout the season.

“Basically, you try to get faster and stronger,” Kasper lists as his offseason objectives. “Summer training is always a development process.

“Whether it’s strength training in the summer or a game in December, I always try to give my best.”

There’s been plenty of turmoil in Detroit throughout the offseason. Captain Dylan Larkin requested a trade. Steve Yzerman was ousted as GM. No replacement has been named as training camp looms on the horizon.

As with his approach to training, Kasper seeks to take things in stride. He’s been the subject of trade rumors himself, so he understands that at the pro level, the business of the game intersects with the playing of the game.

“You’re aware of all that stuff, of course, but it’s more a case of just taking it as it comes,” Kasper said. “You can’t do anything about it if your team sends you somewhere else.

“I feel very comfortable in Detroit and hope it stays that way. Nevertheless, I’m taking it one day at a time here, and whatever happens, happens.”