Andrew Copp gives encouraging update on state of the Red Wings
Detroit will need a bigger year from last season's big free agent signing.
HockeyFeed
The 2022 offseason was the first in which Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman made significant additions to the team, bringing aboard the likes of free agent forwards Andrew Copp, David Perron, and Dominik Kubalik along with defensemen Ben Chiarot, Olli Maatta and goaltender Ville Husso.
And while consistency was an issue all throughout the 2022-23 season, the team was able to accomplish enough to make Copp believe that they're trending in the right direction despite ultimately falling short of a postseason berth for the 7th straight year.
“From where our team is, I really feel we’re heading in the right direction,” Copp said. “I like the core that’s been solidified. You saw three really big resignings throughout the season (Jake Walman, Dylan Larkin, Olli Maatta) that give us just a little bit more of this group that’s gonna be here moving forward. I think everybody’s really excited about that. And then it’ll just be adding in a few more new faces to hopefully freshen up the group, get a little bit more offense and get us going from there."
Copp knows that while the team didn't take as many steps forward as was hoped before the year began, there's a chance to make it happen in 2023-24.
“I think everyone’s really excited about the start of next year," he said. "I think everyone felt steps this year – maybe not as many as we would’ve hoped. But I think it’s more just the surrounding atmosphere and the culture that we felt like took a step forward. Obviously there was improved play on the ice in terms of points overall and specific areas. I think the next step is right there for us.”
Detroit could also benefit from Copp starting the year fully healthy, as he missed all of training camp as well as all pre-season games after having undergone abdominal surgery last summer and took a while to get acclimated to his new surroundings.
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