The Detroit Red Wings Need Solid Production from J.T. Compher and Andrew Copp in 2025
- Chad Marriott
- Sep 24
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 24
Andrew Copp and J.T. Compher are the Detroit Red Wings' 4th and 5th highest paid forwards going into the 2025-26 season. Copp is entering the fourth year of his contract with an AAV of $5,625,000, and Compher is entering the third year of his contract with an AAV of $5,100,000. Their contracts would indicate the team expected one of them to emerge as a second-line center, but that hasn't happened. Last season, Marco Kasper emerged and took on that role. Now, those players currently slot in at 3C and 4C.
Copp's scoring numbers are not great, but he does win faceoffs and win puck battles. He's had some injuries that have limited his play since joining the team in 2022. Compher's first season in Detroit, 2023-24, saw him score 48 points for the team.
While much of the preseason attention will go to James van Riemsdyk, Elmer Söderblom, and a plethora of prospects (Emmett Finnie had a fantastic showing against the Chicago Blackhawks), the team needs both players to have solid years for the team to reach its playoff aspirations.
Andrew Copp
Andrew Copp was playing his best hockey in Detroit before his injury in February. In the 21 games prior to the season-ending torn pectoral tendon, the Red Wings posted a record of 15-4-2. Copp understands the importance he plays on this team, noting, "We have to make the playoffs, it's our goal and our focus." Todd McLellan also understands Copp's importance on this team: "I think (Copp) and JT could be different difference makers this year.”
The third line could end up as a checking line with Copp centering Mason Appleton and Michael Rasmussen. It's also possible that Compher ends up on a line with Copp as well. Copp's ability to move around the lineup presents additional value. It's not entirely impossible that he'll end up playing on the top line with Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond if neither Söderblom, JVR, nor some prospect finds a role there. It's also possible he moves up to the second line if Kasper has to play on the top line.
J.T. Compher
J.T. Compher had a strong 2024 season, scoring 48 points, including a career high of 19 goals. Last season saw a significant dip in his production (32). Compher having a bounce-back season would help the Red Wings in a variety of ways. It would allow Copp to move around more, giving McLellan more options in deployment. If Compher is relegated to the 4th line, it would also limit opportunities for prospects to crack this lineup, as that would likely shift Rasmussen to the third line.
The Red Wings need Compher, as noted by McLellan above. It doesn't necessarily have to be scoring, either. If he's able to take care of the dirty work and effectively center a line, it could allow for Carter Mazur, Jonatan Berggren, or even Nate Danielson to play more comfortably in a third-line role. Compher receives plenty of criticism, but this team benefits in enormous ways from his improved play.
Detroit Red Wings Center Depth
Marco Kasper solved some Copp and Compher-related problems for the Red Wings last year. Anyone looking to Nate Danielson to do the same this year is likely to be disappointed. If Compher can play on the third line or if Copp can play on the second line, it alleviates the need to solve a top-line hole problem. Furthermore, the Red Wings haven't been the "grittiest" team, to say the least. If these two players can elevate their play, it would go a long way toward ending a nine-year playoff drought.
(All stats provided by Hockey Reference and salary information provided by PuckPedia)
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