Only time would tell, but once the New York Rangers won Game 7 of the second-round series over the Carolina Hurricanes, it was set in stone. The Winnipeg Jets will receive a first-round pick as part of their compensation for Andrew Copp after the Rangers advanced to the Eastern Conference Final on Monday.
The Jets received forward Morgan Barron, a conditional second-round pick, a 2022 second-round pick and a 2023 fifth-round pick in return for Copp at the trade deadline. The conditional second-round pick was set to upgraded to a first-rounder if the Rangers reached the conference final with Copp playing at least 50 per cent of the games.
As you know, the Blue Shirts moved forward, facing the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 1 of the Eastern finals tonight and that means that a first-round pick is heading to The Peg.
After winning Game 7, Copp himself apologized to his general manager Chris Drury for having to give up a first-round pick in the draft. The GM revealed it in his press conference and had media present laughing at Copp’s comment.
Copp has collected six goals and 12 points in 14 games this postseason, posting a goal and an assist in Game 7 against the Hurricanes.
After posting 13 goals and 35 points in 56 games with the Jets, he was moved to New York at the trade deadline and added eight goals and 18 points in 16 games with the Rangers.
The Jets now own their selection at 14th overall in July’s draft and will also select with one of the final four picks in the first round after seeing the conditional pick upgraded.
Copp might feel “bad”, but the Rangers are glad to have him on board, so I bet he is easily forgiven.
