In an NHL Entry Draft filled with surprises, the Red Wings didn't.
They drafted with the first-round pick, the eighth overall, center Marco Kasper.
The Austrian center played in Rogle (Sweden) last season, where he had seven goals and four assists in 46 games.
Kasper (6-foot-1, 183-pounds) is projected to be a smart and responsible two-way center who isn't afraid to go into the hard areas.
"He can play all three forward positions but we drafted him a center" said general manager Steve Yzerman to ESPN after the selection. "We feel has underrated skill and he'll play in our top six (forwards) some day.