Detroit Red Wings center Andrew Copp's production has declined each of the past two seasons. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)A
DETROIT – Andrew Copp was trending in the right direction, going from 26 points in 2020-21 to 39 points the following season to a career-high 53.
It seemed like a good gamble for Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman to sign him to a five-year, $28.125 million deal on July 1, 2023, someone who could fill the second-line center spot with consistent production.
Instead, Copp’s output has declined, from 42 points to 33 this past season.
He has found his niche as a third-line checker and energy player as well as one of the team’s top penalty killers. But that’s not enough to justify a $5.625 million cap hit.
With three years remaining on his contract, a trade is not a viable option, nor is a buyout that would leave him on the cap for the next six seasons, albeit at a much-reduced figure.
The Red Wings can only hope they get more bang for their buck moving forward after Copp produced 13 goals and 20 assists in 79 games.
Copp attributed his decline in production to a more defensive role and lack of power-play time. The club signed J.T. Compher to a five-year, $25.5 million contract last summer essentially to fill the role they thought Copp would.
“I think I’ve proven that I can be a top-six offensive player,” Copp said after the season. “It wasn’t what was asked of me. I love going up against the other team’s top line. If you were to look at the No. 1 strength of my game, you would say hockey IQ and defending. Obviously, everyone wants to produce, everyone wants to score goals. Whatever is best for the team is the biggest thing.
“I’ll come in prepared, ready to produce offensively. At the same time, ready to have a huge role shutting the other team’s top guys down and being vital on the PK. You’re always working on all parts of your game in the summer. I don’t think it’ll be any different this year in terms of both the offensive and defensive sides.”
Copp’s effort hasn’t been questioned. He formed an effective energy line with Michael Rasmussen and Christian Fischer, a unit whose forechecking provided some offense and momentum for other lines.
Copp and Rasmussen figure to be reunited next season. Fischer’s status as an unrestricted free agent leaves his return in question.
Copp, who turns 30 on July 8, has demonstrated his toughness and desire to return quickly from injury.
He underwent core surgery in 2022, causing him to miss his first training camp with the team but still played all 82 games. He suffered a broken cheekbone that required surgery the next morning following a high stick from Washington’s Nicolas Aube-Kubel on April 9. He returned to the lineup six days later to play the final two games.
Copp said following the season that he was “still trying to kind of figure out my performance.”
“I think every guy always wants to produce more. I would say that I can,” he said. “When me, Ras and Fish were going, I thought we were producing and we were playing against the other team’s top line through a lot of the games that we won down the stretch.
“There’s more to my game offensively, but that wasn’t really asked of me this year. It felt like I did a decent job, especially down the stretch.”
