A profile on one of the Leafs Draft Combine interviewees: Marco Kasper
For the first time in 3 years, the NHL held it's usually annual draft combine last weekend. The Leafs interviewed at least 10 players that we know of, and a few of them would make great picks at 25th overall. With many leagues having shortened or all together cancelled seasons in 2020-21, this draft presents a big opportunity for a team like the Leafs. Using only a bit of hyperbole, they probably have more scouts on vacation at any given time than many teams have on their payroll. One of those players interviewed was Austrian stand-out Marco Kasper, though after hearing he met with 30 teams his development isn't exactly a well kept secret.
A center who stands 6'1" and 187 lbs., Kasper has many of the intangibles that you want to see from a potential future depth scoring option.
"He's committed to coming to the rink and getting better each time he gets on the ice. With that mindset he's got a really bright future," says @roglebk's Sports Director Chris Abbott about young talent Marco Kasper💥
Watch the full video at https://t.co/lH18aeV5Zg 🎥 pic.twitter.com/3LVRRCToAS� Champions Hockey League (@championshockey) November 28, 2021
A good skater who isn't afraid to go into corners or hold onto the puck for an extra second or two and create space from nothing. His shot and stick handling need some work, so he lacks some finish, but his drive and tenacity aren't in question by any one. He's not afraid to plant himself in front of the net, or lay a big open ice hit, even as a teenager in a league of grown men. At 16, he was already playing limited minutes in Sweden's SHL for Rögle BK. At 17, he was the youngest player to ever be named captain of Austria's U20 team and along with Wild prospect Marco Rossi, has been the face of Austrian hockey since a young age. Over this season, he finished second in SHL scoring among U18 players with 9 points over 40 games for Rögle BK.
He raised his stock even more in the Champions tournament (played at the end of each season with some of the top clubs across the European leagues), with 6 points in 12 games which, again, is impressive as a U18 player. Ranked 7th among EU skaters, Kasper is projected to go as high as the middle of the first round and could be a great addition to the Marlies either this year, or after another year in Sweden if he were to fall to 25.
Credits: The Hockey Writers
| POLL | ||
JUIN 9 | 170 ANSWERS A profile on one of the Leafs Draft Combine interviewees: Marco Kasper Will Marco Kasper fall to the Leafs at 25th overall? | ||
| Yes | 40 | 23.5 % |
| No | 43 | 25.3 % |
| If he does fall, they may still go another route | 60 | 35.3 % |
| They'll move up to take him | 27 | 15.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
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