In the 4th round of the 2013 NHL draft the Jets called out the name of University of Michigan forward Andrew Copp. The Ann Arbour product would spend two more seasons in college before he signed his first NHL contract with Winnipeg back on March 26th, 2015.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
Since that time he has spent the last seven seasons with the Jets becoming a more and more integral piece of the Jets puzzle although it also became clearer and clearer that the club wasn’t going to be able to sign him long-term. Ahead of the 2021-22 season the two sides compromised on a one-year deal which would walk Copp to UFA status at the end of the season. In 56 games he has 13 goals and 22 assists for 35 points in a Swiss Army type role for Winnipeg.
Today the Jets waited until the end of the day (2 PM deadline) but things heated up for them to deal Copp to the New York Rangers according to Elliotte Friedman and Darren Dreger. Frank Seravalli confirmed the trade although it has not yet been confirmed by the team. We are also awaiting the return although Dreger now saying that it sounds like it will be for “picks and a prospect”.
Update from Dreger on the return for Copp:
2022 2nd round pick (which becomes a 1st if NY wins two rounds and Copp plays 50% of games)
2022 or 2023 2nd round pick
2023 5th round pick (although the Jets are sending a 2023 6th back to NY)
The prospect coming to Winnipeg is Morgan Barron (2017 6th rounder) who was born in Halifax and played college hockey at Cornell (with Jeff Malott who coincidentally made his Jets debut last night). He has spent some time this season in the NHL with the Rangers (13 games) and with the Wolf Pack (25 games) in the AHL.
While it seems highly unlikely he ever wears a Winnipeg uniform again (obviously there is always a chance the two sides talk this summer) he will end his tenure in Winnipeg with/as:
6th most games played (466)
12th in goals (74)
13th in assists (107)
10th in points (181)
5th in shorthanded goals (5)
11th in game-winning goals (12)
April 19th in New York just became a lot more significant of a game for the Jets as they face Jacob Trouba and now Andrew Copp.
