Andrew Copp

Signed to a massive five-year deal worth a shade over $28 million in the summer of 2022 to join his home state Red Wings, Copp played in all 82 games for Detroit. His season was a bit of a mixed bag. Copp set a new career high in assists with 33, but scored just nine goals, his lowest mark since the 2017-18 campaign with Winnipeg. Part of that was Copp's refusal to shoot the puck. He managed just 120 shots on goal. For comparison's sake, he had 183 shots on goal in 72 games a year prior. Copp will chip in a handful of power-play points, but there simply isn't enough volume here to make him a fantasy option in anything but the deepest formats.

Copp began the year in Winnipeg before moving to the Rangers at the trade deadline. He played 72 games between his two stops, posting a career-high 21 goals and 53 points. Copp added a half dozen tallies and 14 points during New York's 20-game run to the Eastern Conference Final. The two parties talked about a new deal this summer but couldn't come to an agreement. Copp - a Michigan native - ultimately signed a five-year deal with Detroit worth a shade over $28 million. It's hard to believe Copp will be in a better offensive position with the Red Wings than he was playing alongside Artemi Panarin with the Rangers, so look for his production to dip in 2022-23.

While many players saw lower point outputs due to a shortened season, Copp put up a career-best 15 goals and 39 points in 55 contests. In part due to a larger role on the power play (1:47 ice time per game, 12 points), the 27-year-old American enjoyed a career year. He's capable of playing center or wing while chipping in some physicality typical of his usual third-line role. While there's every reason to be concerned Copp's 2020-21 will be a one-hit wonder, his shooting percentage was at 13.2, making it the third time in six full seasons he's exceeded 13 percent. Realistically, he's more likely to be a depth option both for the Jets and in fantasy -- there's little reason to expect more than 30-to-35 points even if he sees a more significant role at times.

Copp turned in another solid season with 26 points, 121 shots on goal and 59 hits in 63 games last year. The 26-year-old forward has settled into a comfortable third-line role with the Jets, consistently producing point totals in the mid-20s with a fair number of hits each year. He's expected to fill a similar role alongside Adam Lowry in 2020-21 - both players are also excellent penalty killers. Copp will likely challenge for 20 points and 75 hits in the 56-game, 2020-21 campaign, giving him a little value in deeper formats that count the physical categories.

Despite appearing in just 69 games due to a concussion suffered in December, Copp still tallied a career-high 11 goals and likely would have set a new personal best in points if not for his absence. The challenge for the 24-year-old this season will be trying to break into the top-six, with Nikolaj Ehlers standing in the way. The gritty winger's ability to get to the tough areas and come away with the puck will give him a shot at playing a larger role as he continues to develop, but a lack of opportunities with the man advantage will prevent him from becoming a top-end fantasy option.

The Jets are brimming with diligent power forwards and Copp fits the mold. Last season, he recorded nine goals with career highs in assists (19), points (29) and hits (99) to complement a shiny plus-17 rating. Copp bagged his first career playoff goal last April and maintained perfect attendance for the season until he was scratched from the elimination game of the Western Conference finals versus the prevailing Golden Knights. Winnipeg's 2013 fourth-round (104th overall) warms the bench during power-play opportunities but still carries much more offensive upside than a typical fourth-line grinder, often rendering him a sneaky smart value play in various DFS formats.

Although he played in 13 fewer games, Copp topped his rookie campaign by four points, securing nine goals and eight assists over 64 contests in 2016-17. The blue-collar pivot could challenge for a spot on the Jets’ third line in the coming season, but he’s more likely to be relegated to the fourth unit. For a bottom-six player, the Michigan native offers a little utility in the fantasy realm. However, Copp’s critical contributions on the penalty kill won't always be reflected in the box score.

Copp, a fourth-round selection by the Jets in the 2013 NHL Draft, improved upon his per-game scoring during his sophomore season at the University of Michigan, compiling 15 goals and 14 assists over 33 games. The 20-year-old center doesn’t project as a frontline scorer once he reaches the professional ranks, but the combination of adequate offense, dependable defense and leadership skills he offers gives him a respectable floor as a prospect. He’s set to captain the maize and blue during the upcoming NCAA campaign, but could make the jump to AHL St. John’s once the collegiate season concludes.