Marco Kasper, Nate Danielson among Detroit Red Wings prospects assigned to minors

With neither salary cap nor roster room, the Detroit Red Wings did as anticipated and assigned their best young players to their top minor-league affiliate.

Nate Danielson, Marco Kasper and Carter Mazur were among those assigned to the Grand Rapids Griffins on Sunday as part of the effort by Wings management to trim the roster to 23 ahead of the 2024-25 season opener. The Wings will host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday at Little Caesars Arena.

The Wings took advantage of an eight-game exhibition season to get as many looks as reasonable of their top prospects.

THE KIDS : Top prospects showed they're ready during Detroit Red Wings exhibitions

Still, with only $200,00 in salary cap room and every one of the 23-man roster spots spoken for by veterans, the Wings did what was necessary Sunday. The Wings placed defenseman Justin Holl on waivers Sunday, but even if he clears, it would only add a little north of $1 million in cap space.

Forwards Danielson, Kasper, Mazur, Cross Hanas, and Elmer Soderblom, defensemen Tory Dello, Antti Tuomisto, Eemil Viro and William Wallinder, and goaltenders Sebastian Cossa and Carter Gylander were assigned to the Griffins. Michael Brandsegg-Nygård was loaned to Skellefteå in the Swedish Hockey League.

While they'll start the 2024-25 season in the minors, Danielson, Kasper and Mazur all used the exhibition season to make cases for being the first ones called up when needed. Danielson showed himself a capable, poised top-six center, Kasper displayed top-six potential at wing or center, and Mazur appeared to be a forward who will fill in ably among the top six.

Contact Helene St. James at hstjames@freepress.com . Follow her on Twitter @helenestjames .

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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Marco Kasper, Nate Danielson among Detroit Red Wings prospects assigned to minors