Andrew Copp has been one of the most ridiculed members of the Detroit Red Wings since joining the team in 2022.
Almost immediately after signing his 5-year, $28.125 million deal with Detroit, the Hockeytown faithful viewed it as an overpay. Copp was coming off a career year with the Winnipeg Jets and New York Rangers, posting 21 goals and 53 points along with stout two-way play. The hope was he could anchor the second-line center position for the Wings in the years to come.
However, a core injury suffered at the end of 2021-22 and his lack of offense outside that 53 point season made fans hesitant of Copp. And, through his first three seasons in the Winged Wheel, he did little to dispel those concerns.
Copp had a serviceable debut season for the Red Wings in 2022-23 (42 points in 82 games), but his production did not match his contract. This was followed by a disastrous 2023-24 campaign (33 points in 79 games) and an injury-riddled 2024-25 (23 points in 56 games).
Despite it being unlikely and difficult to do, Copp was one of the main players fans wanted either traded or bought out of his contract. Fair or not, Copp is one of the faces of the poor contract decisions by general manager Steve Yzerman that has hindered the team’s ability to reach the playoffs.
As expected, Copp was still a Red Wing entering 2025-26 and it was more of the same to start the year. He spent most of his time on the third or fourth line. Copp was solid on face-offs and defensively, but offered little offense.
Completely out of nowhere, though, Copp has suddenly become an integral part of the Red Wings and is beginning to prove he might be worth his salary after all.
Andrew Copp shines in his elevated role on the Red Wings
To start the season, young Marco Kasper was tasked to anchor the center spot on the second line with Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane. The 21-year old ended 2024-25 on a strong note and was viewed as a potential breakout candidate.
Unfortunately, Kasper has started incredibly slow, having just 4 points in 32 games. He has now found a home with fellow youngsters Nate Danielson and Elmer Soderblom on the third-line, which has proven to be a successful tandem so far.
With Kasper’s demotion, coach Todd McLellan was forced to find a new second-line center on a roster with limited options. He tried everyone from J.T. Compher to Michael Rasmussen, but nothing seemed to stick alongside Pat and the Cat.
That is, until Andrew Copp was given his shot
It may be a limited sample size, but the past four games with Copp centering the second-line have easily been the best of his Red Wings career. He is on a four-game point streak with two goals and four assists.
Copp’s grit and physicality have also been a huge boost to Detroit. His ability to dig out loose pucks, set-up teammates, and score dirty goals (along with still being strong defensively) is something the Wings’ forwards have lacked for a long time.
Perhaps most important is Copp’s impact on Kane and DeBrincat. The Cat is also in the midst of a five-game point streak (four goals and four assists), while Showtime has eight points in his last six games (two goals and six assists).
He is not solely responsible for his linemates’ success, but Copp’s playmaking and willingness to do the dirty work has allowed Kane and DeBrincat to just focus on scoring.
The second line being solidified also moves other players down in the lineup. Rasmussen and Compher’s strengths are better suited on the fourth line and give the Wings four effective forward lines, something they have not had for over a decade.
One thing that Copp has always had are the intangibles
He has long been lauded as one of the hardest-working players and main leaders on the Red Wings. Now that his on-ice production is matching his off-ice, it makes him a very effective player.
With that being said, it has only been a few games and Copp could very easily regress back to the player Detroit is accustomed to seeing. Still, it is exciting to think about the possibilities if Copp continues to perform well.
For all the criticism he has endured, Copp deserves praise for these past few games. If he can keep this up, maybe there is still time for Copp to redeem himself (and his contract) in Detroit.