Red Wings Place Holl on Waivers, But It’s Not to Keep Marco Kasper

The Red Wings haven’t announced it officially, but it seems as if Michael Brandsegg-Nygard is going back to Skelleftea in the Swedish Hockey League.

Unless GM Steve Yzerman is about to make a trade or claim someone off waivers, the likely 13th forward is tough guy Austin Watson. He’s in Detroit’s camp on a tryout and is still listed on the roster.

Although there was no media availability Sunday, we can assume the Red Wings decided it was more beneficial for Kasper to play on Grand Rapids’ top line rather than fight for minutes in Detroit.

The Red Wings drafted Kasper eighth overall in 2022, and he played all of last season for the Grand Rapids Griffins. He registered 14 goals and 31 points in 74 games. Kasper added seven more points in nine playoff games.

Short on Right-Shot D

Holl, 32, will play the Griffins, unless he is claimed on waivers, or a team works out a trade for him. The Red Wings likely would have to retain salary to trade him. If Holl is in Grand Rapids, and the Red Wings run into injury problems, they can recall Holl.

With Holl leaving, the Red Wings seven defensemen are Moritz Seider, Ben Chiarot, Jeff Petry, Simon Edvinsson, Erik Gustafsson, Olli Maatta and Albert Johansson. Only Seider and Petry are right shots, although Gustafsson is very comfortable playing on the right side.

If the Red Wings keep Watson, he will be a part-time player. He will be used against the league’s most physical teams. The Red Wings clearly need the toughness against some bigger teams. But analytics show Watson is a liability in five-on-five play. If they keep Watson, bottom six forwards such as Jonatan Berggren, Christian Fischer, Tyler Motte or Joe Veleno are vulnerable to be scratched. Or, Lalonde could bench a slumping player.