A solid defensive forward who does good things up and down the ice and is a great presence in the locker room but can’t catch a break from the fan base due to their contract and perceived lack of production, specifically their inability to convert on short handed breakaways. Never minding that if you’re getting breakaways on the pk you’re doing it right.

There was a lot of warm fuzzies for Helm when he won the cup in Colorado but people forget that he was a whipping boy for the fan base for years during the mid 2010s decline.

And as is always the case with the Wings, there’s always some guy in the AHL who would immediately be an upgrade and is one call up away from taking their rightful place as a core member of the team for years to come (but Marge! The mystery box could be anything, it could even be a boat!)

I agree that the contract isn’t great, a year less and one million AAV less and it’s not so bad, but it shouldn’t be a mystery to anyone why GMs prefer veteran players with proven track records over prospects when they’re trying to compete for the playoffs.

Just my two cents. Ride it out. I think he’s doing his job and maybe he goes on a bit of a heater and the conversation around him dies down.

Also their first and last names have the same number of letters. Cue X-files theme.

Edit: I don’t know why I remembered the mystery box gag being from the Simpsons lol.

Why doesn’t Steve Yzerman get blame for typing up $10 million per season for the next 4 years minimum.

Sources

• 2:47 PM | All indications are Andrew Copp is headed to NYR. Rangers may also be working on Tyler Motte. -

• 2:49 PM | Confirming Andrew Copp is being traded to the New York Rangers. -

Breakdown

Trade Confirmed

This deal has been confirmed.

All times in EST.

What a trade. 18 points in 14 games.

I was completely unaware of his 32 assists this season, and only 9 goals but as of late he’s been doing his job. He’s good on draws, and decent in the defensive zone. I’m watching the jets game right now and even Larry Murphy commented on how he’s been doing his job, quietly. Would be nice to see him produce more goals, and be a little stronger on the puck, but all in all cant complain about the guy, AS OF LATE.

Thoughts?

This dude fits the team so well. And he’s not afraid to shoot it. I don’t care if we lose Strome at this point, dude is legit.

The Rangers got Copp (and a 6th) for a prospect, a conditional first/second, and a 5th. A few summers back, the bruins got Charlie Coyle, a player of at LEAST equal value, for Ryan Donato. That's a pretty great trade, in retrospect. Sweeney deserves some credit for some the pretty damn good trades he's made

It is believed that general manager Chris Drury is focusing on the trade market rather than free agency to fill the vacancy that will be created by the departure of Strome, who has operated as the club’s second-line pivot — and Artemi Panarin’s partner — for the last three seasons.

The Rangers, who are operating with approximately $10.13 million of space with several holes that need to be filled, could not accommodate the asking prices of either Strome or Copp, who are understandably seeking to maximize their earning power at their first crack at free agency.

We’re told that neither party has closed the door to a Copp return if circumstances warrant. A second source suggested that the Rangers and Strome could take a second look at one another on Day Two of free agency if the center is unsigned and the club has not yet filled the vacancy.

If still here, Filip Chytil will be a restricted free agent with arbitration rights and if still here, Kaapo Kakko may need a new deal if he only signs a one-year deal this summer coming off last year’s generally wasted season.

The Blueshirts have engaged in discussions with Winnipeg about impending restricted free agent Pierre-Luc Dubois, who just turned 24 on June 24 and who was Panarin’s primary center for No. 10’s two seasons in Columbus. But Dubois, only two years away from free agency, would probably be able to command a long-term deal in excess of $7 million per on the open market.

The Blueshirts are believed to have interest in Winnipeg center Mark Scheifele, the 29-year-old who was selected seventh overall in 2011, immediately behind Strome and Zibanejad. Scheifele is under contract for two more seasons at an annual cap hit of $6.125 million. The Rangers could likely accommodate that but the acquisition would essentially become a two-year rental ahead of unrestricted free agency.

That, of course, would (or should) influence the package that would go the other way in a deal for Scheifele. It would be more difficult to justify dealing either Chytil or Kakko—the club’s prime trade chips — for a two-year rental.

Chicago’s 21-year-old Kirby Dach, who has had difficulty gaining traction since his third-overall selection in 2019 behind Jack Hughes and Kakko, is an intriguing possibility. It is unknown whether the Blackhawks, who are open for business under a new management team, would make Dach available.

That means the Blueshirts are on the cusp of losing and, more to the point, having to replace three of their top-six forwards during the run to the conference finals and with precious little cap space with which to do it.

Official Announcement

New York Rangers President and General Manager Chris Drury announced today that the team has acquired forward Andrew Copp and a sixth-round selection in the 2023 NHL Draft from the Winnipeg Jets. In exchange, the Rangers have traded forward Morgan Barron, two conditional second round picks (conditions listed below), and a fifth-round pick in 2023.

• Conditional second round pick 1: NYR's own second round pick in 2022; becomes a first-round pick in 2022 if the Rangers advance to the Eastern Conference Final and Copp plays in at least 50% of New York's playoff games.

• Conditional second round pick 2: either STL's own second round pick in 2022 or NYR's own second round pick in 2023 (Winnipeg's choice).

Copp, 27, has registered 13 goals and 22 assists for 35 points in 56 games with the Jets this season. Among Winnipeg skaters, Copp ranks sixth in goals, seventh in assists, fifth in points, and fourth among Jets forwards in time on ice per game (19:48). Last night, Copp recorded his fourth three-point game of the season.

Breakdown

• a: The Jets receive New York's own 2nd round pick in 2022. The pick can become a 1st rounder in 2022 if the Rangers advance to the Eastern Conference Final and Copp plays in at least 50% of New York's playoff games.

• b: The Jets receive their choice of the St. Louis Blues' 2nd round pick in 2022 (via NYR) or the New York Rangers' 2nd round pick in 2023.

Earlier Updates and More

• 2:47 PM | All indications are Andrew Copp is headed to NYR. Rangers may also be working on Tyler Motte. -

• 2:49 PM | Confirming Andrew Copp is being traded to the New York Rangers. -

• 2:51 PM | Andrew Copp is a strong fit for the Rangers' middle-six. He can play center and wing + bring the puck into the offensive zone with control and generate scoring chances. Given their cap situation next season, a rental clicks. -

• 4:29 PM | To clean things up: Winnipeg gets a 2nd round pick that can become a 1st if NYR wins two rounds and Copp plays 50% of the games. The Jets get another 2nd, which they have an option of picking in 2022 or 2023. A final 5th round pick in 2023. Plus, prospect Morgan Barron. To NYR: Andrew Copp and a 6th in 2023. -

All times in EST.