Few, if any Detroit Red Wings forwards, had a campaign more disappointing than J.T. Compher.
The former Stanley Cup-winning center was brought in to be a stabilizing force on the second line. For a little while, he looked like the solution. In 2023-24, he nearly scored 20 goals for a 48 point season. Since then, however, he's been a ghost of his former self. His deployment grew stark as he fell down the lineup. His minutes dropped.
Before he knew it, Compher was playing on the fourth line, managing just 15:40 a night on average.
Season | Goals | Points | ATOI |
|---|---|---|---|
2023-24 | 19 | 48 | 19:23 |
2024-25 | 11 | 32 | 16:41 |
2025-26 | 11 | 28 | 15:40 |
While all 11 of his goals came at even-strength - an area in which the Red Wings are suffering - his lack of physicality and production make him one of the most disappointing forwards on the roster. Many believe that Compher is one of the biggest reasons the bottom-six bottomed out this season -- but it's not as simple as passive play.
Compher stuck in roster logjam
When both Dylan Larkin and Andrew Copp were out with injuries, Compher stepped up to the plate. In that time, he was surprisingly effective, putting up a handful of goals while stabilizing an extremely shaky offense. The moment Larkin and Copp returned, however, his production regressed back to what it was all season.
When deployed properly, Compher is a decent middle-six forward. He can play both center and wing and occasionally adds some production to the lineup. Unfortunately, it looks like opportunity has passed him by in Detroit. The top-six is all but cemented. It's unlikely he'll outperform Copp or whatever second line center Detroit acquires during the offseason.
Think about it: Compher is behind Larkin, Copp, whatever free agent signee Detroit acquires and then a likely combination of Marco Kasper and Emmitt Finnie at center. He had an opportunity to become the team's go-to guy at center, but it didn't work out.
Where the Red Wings and Compher go from here
At this point, it just looks like Detroit and Compher aren't a good fit. He doesn't have enough opportunity to play to his strengths, and, at this point, he just isn't adding enough to be a difference-maker on the roster. What's especially frustrating is that he's capable of taking on more responsibility, but he chooses to play passively. From flippant remarks to casual shifts, it just doesn't seem like he really cares out there.
It might be time for general manager Steve Yzerman to consider a trade.
As of right now, Compher has two years left on his contract making $5.1M per season. Here's the real kicker, though: J.T. Compher has a 10-team no-trade clause. That leaves Yzerman with 10 fewer trade partners he can consider. It's likely that he can find a partner among the 22 remaining teams, but, based on Compher's production, it's hard to see them making a move without paying additional capital to take his contract.
At this point, it's a zero-sum game for both parties.
Grade: D-
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