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Red Wings select center Marco Kasper with first-round pick in NHL draft

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.