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Detroit Red Wings: JT Compher needs to be smooth up the middle

By Tyler Kotila |
Apr 14, 2018; Nashville, TN, USA; Colorado Avalanche left wing JT Compher (37) skates the puck into the offensive zone during the first period against the Nashville Predators in game two of the first round of the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 14, 2018; Nashville, TN, USA; Colorado Avalanche left wing JT Compher (37) skates the puck into the offensive zone during the first period against the Nashville Predators in game two of the first round of the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Red Wings went out this year and beefed things up with their forward core. It was a big move for them to bring in some new faces, including Alex DeBrincat, who cost a pretty penny in the blockbuster trade.

But the Detroit Red Wings are a new team looking to come out and prove they can compete in 2023-24 with a strong performance. One of the latest additions needs to have an excellent first year in Hockeytown more than others.

This summer, the Red Wings added a new forward to the mix in the form of JT Compher, who crossed over from the dark side, leaving the Colorado Avalanche to join the Red Wings. The team brought in Compher on a five-year contract worth $25.5 million.

He’s slated to take home $5.1 million each year as the Red Wings look to slot him into the forward core, likely up the middle as a centerman. This comes a year after the Red Wings brought in Andrew Copp on a long-term deal, another centerman.

Detroit Red Wings need JT Compher to find a groove early.

Things did not go great when the Red Wings brought in Andrew Copp last season. He struggled to really get things going at as high of a rate as the Red Wings were hoping. It was a pretty underwhelming performance for the centerman overall. Copp scored just nine goals and added 33 assists for 42 total points over 82 games played.

Now, in 2023-24, the Red Wings have to be hoping that Compher is able to come in and settle in, performing at a much higher rate. Compher is looking to provide some offense and better depth up the middle, likely slotting into the team’s second line.

Compher had spent the last six seasons in Colorado as part of the Avalanche organization. Compher played in all 82 games in 2022-23, where he scored 17 goals and added 35 assists for 52 total points on the season.

While it’s just ten points more than Copp, there has to be hope he can produce at a better rate and be able to find some success in Detroit. The Red Wings brought in some new pieces to supplement and add to the top six, and Compher is one of those forwards who need to get things going.

Compher is going to bring depth to the organization, and he should likely be able to settle into a centerman role with the Red Wings if all goes well. With Copp’s tough performance in 2022-23, the Red Wings are hoping for things to be different with Compher.

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