Detroit Red Wings: Is Andrew Copp turning things around at the right time?

The Detroit Red Wings brought in forward Andrew Copp this off-season on a five-year deal. After a career year in 2021-22, he earned a nice payday. Red Wings General Manager (GM) Steve Yzerman was able to land him another centerman to help in the top six.

Copp signed a five-year, $28.125 million contract with the Detroit Red Wings this summer, and his performance has been a bit underwhelming early on. He is not performing as well as he did in 2021-22, but the Red Wings have to be happy with how things have gone as of late.

Things have turned around slightly. He’s starting to turn around his game and make some improvements. If he can finish the first half strong, there’s reason to believe he could piece together a strong second half and be more of the player that the Red Wings are hoping they get.

Granted, he got tossed around by Kirby Dach when the two squared off in the Red Wings’ overtime win over the Canadiens on Thursday night. Copp has gotten things going in the right direction; the Red Wings need him to carry that into the second half.

Detroit Red Wings’ Andrew Copp is turning things around at the right time.

In 2022-23, Copp played in 46 games with five goals and 21 assists for 26 total points. This includes the overtime winner against the San Jose Sharks as well. It seems like Copp has been able just to go out and execute.

According to Dom Luszczyszyn and Shayna Goldman of The Athletic($$), Copp has played severely under market value based on his player card coming into the week of the 23rd. According to the player card, the Red Wings forward has declined on his defense.

Copp’s defense was one of his calling cards, being able to play the game on both ends of the ice. But with the Red Wings, his defense has faltered a little bit. More recently, Copp has played a more complete game.

The offense is showing; he’s skating well and has been one of the Red Wings players who has played good defense. There’s still plenty of time left in the year and plenty of time on his contract since he is signed through the 2026-27 season, so now he has to execute.

With a lengthy break ahead, the Red Wings will get to rest. Copp needs to come out in the second half and continue tapping into his offense while also being an asset in the defensive zone, as advertised.