Andrew Copp's Season-Ending Surgery: Strategies for the Red Wings to Fill the Gap

The Detroit Red Wings have announced that second-line center Andrew Copp will be sidelined for the remainder of the 2024-25 season. This unfortunate news comes after Copp successfully underwent surgery to repair a torn left pectoral tendon, with a recovery timeline estimated at four to six months.

Copp did not participate in the third period of Saturday’s 4-3 overtime defeat against the Minnesota Wild, where he sustained his injury while attempting to pull forward Matt Boldy out of a tussle in the corner. This game marked Detroit’s return after the 4 Nations Face-Off break and was also Copp’s 700th appearance in the NHL.

In his 56 games this season, Copp has contributed 10 goals and 23 points, showcasing his importance in crucial defensive situations, including the penalty kill.

Currently, the Red Wings are positioned in the top wild-card slot in the Eastern Conference with 25 games remaining, and with the NHL trade deadline approaching on March 7, time is of the essence.

The Impact of Losing Copp on the Red Wings

Copp’s absence is significant for the Red Wings, especially since he thrived following the team’s midseason coaching change, stepping into the second-line center role under Todd McLellan’s leadership.

Acting as a linchpin between Alex DeBrincat and either Patrick Kane or Vladimir Tarasenko—depending on the matchup—Copp demonstrated impressive intelligence and tenacity in contested areas of the ice. Since McLellan’s arrival on December 26, the team’s five-on-five goal share and expected goal share with Copp on the ice have remained above 51 percent.

As the Red Wings aim to end their eight-year playoff drought, they now face the challenging task of filling the gap left by Copp’s two-way contributions at a pivotal moment in the season.

Options for Replacing Copp

To address Copp’s departure, the Red Wings will likely turn to internal solutions, with J.T. Compher expected to step in as the second-line center. Compher, who has experience in this role with Detroit, offers a comparable two-way style, having recorded six goals and 22 points over 51 games this season.

There is also the possibility of rookie Marco Kasper filling this role eventually, although he has been performing well on the wing alongside Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond, which makes the coaching staff hesitant to disrupt that successful pairing.

With the trade deadline on the horizon, Detroit has the opportunity to explore the market for a short-term replacement for Copp. However, as a team on the playoff bubble, it remains uncertain whether general manager Steve Yzerman is willing to part with prospects or draft picks for a short-term rental.