With Copp Out For Season, Will These Centers Come to Red Wings Attention?

With the news that center Andrew Copp is done for the season following surgery on his left pectoral tendon, the Detroit Red Wings are suddenly thin down the middle.

An update on Andrew Copp. pic.twitter.com/FZ5mZ2WlhP

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) February 25, 2025

Couple Copp’s loss with the absence of Michael Rasmussen (upper body injury) and 50% of the centers who were in the lineup for Sunday’s 5-4 OT win over the Anaheim Ducks are now on the shelf.

These facts shine a bit more illumination perhaps on the reason why it became pertinent late Monday to shed goalie Ville Husso and his $4.75-million contract. With that move, Detroit finds itself holding on to nearly $14 million in salary cap space come NHL trade deadline day.

Red Wings Likely To Add Defensive Depth

That should be more than enoough to fill some needs as this team ramps up for a playoff push. It’s likely that Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman will be looking to add a depth defenseman. The uncertainty of Jeff Petry’s status leaves Detroit with just six reliable NHL defenders. Any further injury would require that William Lagesson play on a nightly basis. That’s not a path the team is going to want to take.

Suddenly, now, it would appear to be pertinent that the Wings be adding an experienced center. Detroit’s list of healthy available centers at the moment consists of Dylan Larkin, JT Compher, Joe Veleno, Tyler Motte and Sheldon Dries. The Red Wings won’t be moving rookie Marco Kasper back into the middle. He’s proving to be too much of an asset as a first-line left-winger.

Which centers are likely to come to the attention of the Red Wings? Let’s look at that.

Brock Nelson, New York Islanders

Knowing Yzerman’s history of being loathe to deal for rental players, him going after pending UFA Nelson might seem unlikely. However, if Nelson can help put the Wings into the playoffs, the short-term gain might be worth it.

The two-time 30-goal scorer has 19 goals this season. There will be many suitors for Nelson if he’s on the block. Yzerman might not want to pay the price that would be required to make this deal happen.

Dylan Cozens, Buffalo Sabres

On the wish list of most Red Wings fans, this would be top priority. That’s understandable. Cozens is 24. He’s an ideal long-term add to a team that is growing together as a group. Cozens has seven years left on a contract with an AAV of $7.1 million.

Here’s the issue with this move. The Sabres want to make a hockey trade, similar to the Casey Mittelstadt for Bowen Byram deal made at last year’s deadline. In trade talks, NHL sources tell DHN the Red Wings offer has been a package of prospects and draft picks.

Ryan O’Reilly, Nashville Predators

O’Reilly is 34 and has two years remaining on a pact paying him $4.5 million per season. Not unreasonable in today’s market.

O’Reilly offers plenty to like in his game. He battles, plays a strong game without the puck and wins faceoffs. He’s a prototypcial No. 2 center. Just what Detroit needs.

O’Reilly is also a Stanley Cup winner and a Conn Smythe Trophy winner. He’ll be coveted by many teams and won’t come cheap.

Brayden Schenn, St. Louis Blues

O’Reilly’s teammate on the 2018-19 Cup-winning Blues, at 33 Schenn’s contract shows three remaining years at $6.5 million. He’s a solid two-way center who would also be ideal playing behind Larkin on the depth chart.

Again like O’Reilly, Schenn will be coveted by top NHL teams, Cup contenders. He also has a full no-trade clause. Would he be willing to waive it to come to Detroit?

Ryan Strome, Anaheim Ducks

Strome scored against the Wings in Sunday’s game, which he seems to do a lot when he plays Detroit. In 26 games facing the Red Wings, Strome has seven goals.

He’s 31, with two years to go on a pact paying him $5 million per season. He’s been playing as Anaheim’s No. 1 center. Strome’s game is more suited to the middle-six role he’d be given in Detroit.

Scott Laughton, Philadelphia

Another well-known Red Wings slayer. In 21 games against Detroit, Laughton shows 13-7-20 totals. He scored four goals in a win over the Wings earlier this season.

Not just three but FOUR! 4⃣ GOALS FROM SCOTT LAUGHTON TONIGHT 😱@NHLFlyers | #LetsGoFlyers pic.twitter.com/HF47Tribya

— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) December 13, 2024

At the age of 31, he’s got one year left to go at $3 million. Laughton, though, is more of a shutdown center. He’s better suited for a bottom-six role. On the positive side, he doesn’t have any trade protection in his contract.