Dan Marr, director of the NHL's Central Scouting division, said the 2022 NHL Draft is among the more unpredictable drafts in recent years. Any number of prospects could be available when the Sabres pick at ninth, 16th and 28th overall in the first round on July 7.

What You Need To Know

  • Marco's dad, Peter Kasper, played professional hockey in Austria
  • Kasper left home at 16 to challenge himself in the SHL
  • While still attending school in Sweden, he learned Swedish in six months as his third language

One prospect with potential availability is Marco Kasper, a 6'1" center who talked to 30 of 32 NHL teams when in Buffalo earlier this summer. He's coming off a huge season in the SHL: he had seven goals and four assists in 46 regular season games, but added six points in Rogle BK's postseason run.

"My compete level (is strong), I always try to win, I can help teams win important games," Kasper said of proving himself at an advanced level.

Kasper left his home country Austria to play in the Swedish Hockey League to challenge himself against international, professional talent.

"I think Sweden is a good hockey country, I think it’s really good competition there," Kasper said at the NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo. "I decided to go there and play against the best competition in Sweden. I think it was a good decision."

Not only in playing in one of Europe's top professional leagues good for his game, but it's also helped Kasper mature as an adult.

"It's tough to play against men," Kasper said. "It's helped me see how it is to live as a pro."

While continuing his education in Sweden, he's been living on his own since the 2020-2021 season and became fluent in Swedish within six months.

"I tried to fit in as fast as possible," he said.

Kasper thinks his skating has improved the most since joining Rogle BK at age 16. He also has his father, Peter Kasper, who played professionally in Austria, to help him fine-tune his game for the next level.

"He helps me a lot, he still helps me a lot," Kasper said. "When I was younger, we always had hockey camps. He also analyzes my game to show me what I can improve on. It’s mostly details but also been on me to move my feet all game."