Red Wings waive Justin Holl, possibly to create spot for Marco Kasper

The Detroit Red Wings placed defenseman Justin Holl on waivers Sunday, which could clear the way for Marco Kasper to make the team.

Holl, 32, will surely clear on Monday since he has two years remaining on his contract at a $3.4 million average annual value. The Red Wings can then assign him to the Grand Rapids Griffins.

That could clear a roster spot for Kasper, the eighth overall pick in 2022 who's had an outstanding training camp and preseason.

Kasper's performance in Friday's 4-3 preseason overtime loss to Ottawa might have factored into this decision. The two-way center scored a pair of goals in the first period and had at least two other terrific chances to complete the hat trick. He has also killed penalties during the preseason.

Starting Kasper, 20, on the NHL roster would give the Red Wings 13 forwards. He will only be on the team if he's playing regularly. Otherwise, he would return to Grand Rapids. Kasper had 14 goals and 21 assists in 71 regular season games and four goals and three assists in nine playoff games with the Griffins last season, his first in the AHL.

Holl once again was destined to be a spare defenseman for Detroit. He appeared in only 38 games last season (no goals, five assists), when the Red Wings carried eight defenseman most of the way.