The Detroit Red Wings are reportedly open to trading forward Andrew Copp this offseason following another underwhelming campaign. As noted by Nick Kypreos on his Off-Season Trade Board, Copp’s declining offensive output is the driving force behind the speculation.
Detroit signed Copp to a five-year, $28.13 million deal in 2022 with hopes he’d maintain the form that saw him net 21 goals and 53 points in 2021-22. However, he has struggled to replicate that level of production, making his $5.625 million AAV a tough pill to swallow for a middle-six forward.
One potential landing spot could be the Montreal Canadiens, who are reportedly in the market for experienced center depth. While no formal links have surfaced yet, the Habs could see Copp as a stabilizing presence for their young roster—if Detroit is willing to retain salary or take back a contract in return.
The Montreal Canadiens are relatively set at center with Nick Suzuki and Jake Evans, but beyond that, depth and durability are concerns—making Andrew Copp a logical fit. His ability to play both center and right wing gives Montreal flexibility, especially in a forward group still shaping its identity.
While Copp has mainly played center in Detroit, he’s more than capable of sliding to the wing, which could prove valuable given the Canadiens’ fluid bottom-six. According to Daily Faceoff, there’s a projected opening either at third-line center or in the middle-six on the wing.
With Kirby Dach penciled in for third-line center duties, his injury history makes depth at the position a priority. If Dach or Evans were to miss time, Copp could step in without disrupting the lineup structure too much. His two-way game and veteran experience could also be a stabilizing force for a young team still in transition.
On a fully healthy Canadiens roster, Andrew Copp would offer valuable versatility—particularly on the wing. If Ivan Demidov, the highly touted 2024 draft pick, isn’t quite NHL-ready, Copp could slide into a middle-six winger role, providing a steady veteran presence while easing the pressure on Demidov’s development.
Copp’s ability to play both center and wing makes him an ideal utility forward for a Montreal team that still has moving pieces and developing talent. His responsible two-way play, playoff experience, and leadership could help balance the lineup, especially during stretches where younger players are adjusting or recovering from injuries.
Looking at the Return Detroit Red Wings Can Fetch from Canadiens
According to Nick Kypreos, Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman might be able to secure a decent return for Andrew Copp—if Detroit is willing to retain salary. Copp’s $5.625 million cap hit and 10-team no-trade list limit his market, especially given his diminished on-ice impact. But by retaining a portion of his salary, Yzerman could make Copp a more attractive target for teams needing a versatile veteran forward.
Kypreos pointed to the Scott Laughton trade as a blueprint—where Philadelphia received a first-round pick from the Maple Leafs after retaining salary. If the Red Wings follow suit, they could potentially get similar value, especially from a contending team desperate for middle-six stability and playoff experience.
A first-rounder might seem steep, but salary retention could turn a hard-to-move contract into a premium trade chip.
Red Wings get:
2025 first-round pick (17th overall)
2025 seventh-round pick
Canadiens get:
Andrew Copp, F
It’s a key detail that the Montreal Canadiens hold two mid-first-round picks in the 2025 NHL Draft—currently projected at 16th and 17th overall. With chatter around the league suggesting Montreal may be open to moving one of them, that opens the door for a deal involving Andrew Copp, especially if the Red Wings retain 50% of his cap hit (bringing it down to about $2.8 million annually).
In that scenario, Copp becomes a more cost-effective and versatile middle-six option for a Habs team needing reliable depth and veteran presence. For Detroit, retaining salary could be the key to converting a declining asset into a meaningful draft return—particularly valuable as they continue building toward long-term contention.
If Montreal views themselves as ready to make a playoff push in 2025, flipping one of those firsts for a two-way forward like Copp—with term and leadership upside—suddenly looks justifiable.
Copp Trade Risky for Montreal Canadiens
A trade for Andrew Copp certainly carries risk for the Montreal Canadiens, particularly given his recent decline in offensive production and the fact he’s on the wrong side of 30. The Canadiens would be gambling that a change of scenery—and potentially reduced responsibility—could help Copp rebound, much like the Scott Laughton deal that left many Leafs fans underwhelmed.
But for a Habs team aiming to solidify its playoff ambitions in 2025, Copp could serve a valuable role as a veteran insurance policy. If he regains even some of his 2021–22 form (21 goals, 53 points), he’d be a key depth piece and matchup forward—especially important if injury concerns reemerge for players like Kirby Dach.
For Detroit, retaining 50% of Copp’s cap hit in exchange for the 17th overall pick (alongside their own 13th) would be a shrewd move. That draft capital could allow Steve Yzerman to either select a high-upside forward to replace Copp long-term or move up into the top 10 with a package deal.
In short, it’s a high-floor, moderate-ceiling deal for Montreal—and a cap-clearing, asset-gaining move for Detroit.
