When looking at the Detroit Red Wings, the high-skill players are, deservedly, given their flowers. Guys like Dylan Larkin, Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond receive more than their fair share of praise -- and rightly so.
There are a few Red Wings, however, that fly under the radar. They might not be the flashiest players, but, when they're hurt, their absence is noticeable. Andrew Copp is the poster child of under the radar players. Rarely, if ever, does Copp make a highlight reel-worthy pass. He's not going to be anywhere near lists of flashiest players.
But he doesn't have to be.
Like a lighthouse in stormy oceans, Copp is nothing short of steady. He's a pillar of consistency and one of the better defensive forwards on the Red Wings. What Copp lacks in flair he makes up for in fastidious play and locker room leadership.
Copp had his best season with Detroit yet
Over the last three seasons, Copp has played up and down the lineup in an attempt to solve Detroit's second line center conundurm. This season, he all but took over the role:
Season | GP | Goals | Points | ATOI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2023-24 | 79 | 13 | 33 | 16:16 |
2024-25 | 56 | 10 | 23 | 14:42 |
2025-26 | 79 | 9 | 43 | 16:34 |
You might look at Copp's goal totals and wonder why his numbers took such a hit. It isn't for lack of offense: it's because he doesn't have to shoot at the net anymore. Copp has become a setup man, helping line mates Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane find the back of the net. For a brief period of time, the DeBrincat-Copp-Kane line was among the best analytically in the NHL. They led the league in takeaways and even-strength scoring during that bout and Copp played a huge part in it.
Patrick Kane is, for lack of a better term, not the best defensively. At 37 years of age, it's hard to count on him properly back checking or covering his opponent. That's where Copp comes in. He's the Band-Aid of the line, ensuring Kane and DeBrincat have enough room to work their magic.
Helping Kane and DeBrincat isn't the only thing Copp does. In fact, Detroit's lineup is measurably better with him in the lineup:
With Andrew Copp in the lineup: 142-121-33 record (53.55 winning percentage)
Without Andrew Copp in the lineup: 46-54-14 (46.9 winning percentage)
To put it simply: the team plays winning hockey with Andrew Copp in the lineup.
Where Andrew Copp fits next season
Andrew Copp is a perfectly fine middle-six center, but it's clear the Red Wings need to upgrade at the 2C position. Should they pursue a trade this offseason, Copp will likely move to the third line, where he'll play alongside one (or both) of Marco Kasper and Michael Brandsegg-Nygard. This, in turn, could help both players develop chemistry of their own with a steady defensive-minded center at their side.
No matter what the future holds for Copp, it's clear that he plays a key role within the Red Wings. Here's to hoping the 2025-26 season is just the start of what's to come for him.
Grade: A-
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