Confident Copp Delivering For Red Wings

Ask Andrew Copp if this is the best he’s played for the Detroit Red Wings, and his answer tells you everything you need to know about the man.

“I feel the best about our team that I’ve felt in a while, so that’s all that matters,” Copp said.

If he wanted to brag on where his own game is at, Copp would certainly be entitled to do that. Since moving to the center spot on Detroit’s second line between Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane, Copp has accounted for 7-14-21 totals over the past 24 games.

Except that he’s not prone to feeling a sense of entitlement.

ANDREW COPP IS THE OT HERO FOR DETROIT 🪽 pic.twitter.com/cnQonMJq6h

— SleeperNHL (@SleeperNHL) January 13, 2026

“Just trying to play a good game, play the game that’s in front of me, not try to force anything, especially offensively, and make sure I’m solid everywhere,” is Copp’s assessment of his performance.

He’ll leave the superlatives to be delivered by others.

“I think Copper’s confidence is back to a level where it needs to be,” Detroit coach Todd McLellan said. “And why did that happen?

“I think he’s put himself in a situation where he’s using his legs more during the game, and he’s finding ways to be around the net more than he was maybe earlier in the season. And as that happens and you find a way to score a goal every now and then, you start to feel good about yourself.

“It’s probably the best he’s felt all year.”

Red Wings Struggled To Find Role For Copp

At the outset of the season, Marco Kasper was the player slotted in between Kane and DeBrincat. That left McLellan trying to figure out where Copp fit into the overall scheme of things for the Red Wings.

“We thought Casp would fit that hole,” McLellan said. “So now, where does Copper go?

“Now, we have tried him on the wing during the year. Maybe that didn’t help him. It wasn’t a big span, but we did put him over there for a bit on some nights, and sometimes we get in the way of players’ confidence or development, and this could be a case of that.”

As things turned out, Copp had a spot waiting for him to fill.

Andrew Copp breaks the ice for Detroit. 🚨 pic.twitter.com/hOx8yBzXrA

— Sports on Prime Canada (@SportsOnPrimeCA) January 6, 2026

“It wasn’t necessarily given to him,” McLellan said. “But I think he’s got more confidence now. He feels like he belongs there. He doesn’t want to relinquish that spot to anybody. And he plays like it.”

Copp Valuable To Red Wings

Due to the five-year deal worth $28.125 million that Copp signed as a UFA in 2022, he’s often a lightning rod among the Detroit fan base. What should never be overlooked is that thanks to his versatility, Copp is a valuable piece in the Red Wings’ puzzle.

Everyone found that out the hard way last season. After Copp was lost for the year with a pectoral injury, the Red Wings’ playoff hopes went into free fall.

In Detroit’s first eight games minus Copp, the team went 2-6. The Wings were 3-7 in the first 10 games without the veteran center and 4-9 through 13 contests in his absence.

“He became a pretty important piece,” McLellan said. “Unfortunately, we lost him.”

Copp is an important piece again this season, filling a vital role. And once again, the Red Wings cannot afford to lose him.