Todd McLellan believes these two Detroit Red Wings will be difference makers
Photo credit: NHL.com
The Detroit Red Wings head coach Todd McLellan believes two players will be difference makers this season despite struggling in training camp.
Training camp isn't always an indicator of what we can expect in the regular season, but seeing players struggle or not bring enough energy is never a good sign.
In Detroit, JT Compher and Andrew Copp haven't quite performed up to the Red Wings head coach Todd McLellan's expectations, and he made it clear in a recent press conference that he sees much more from both players than what they've shown.
Copp And Compher Can Bring Much More, Per McLellan
Copp and Compher come into 2025-26 with plenty to prove, especially considering their contracts.
Copp, 31, still has two more years left on his five-year deal carrying a $5.625 million AAV. Compher, 30, is in the third season of his own five-year contract at $5.1 million AAV.
McLellan shared his honest opinion about them with the media, saying they were holding back, but are poised to be game changers if they bring intensity every shift:
"In JT and in Copper, I saw two different players. I saw somebody that wasn't getting after it.
They were a little reserved, holding back, kind of (getting there) second to different scenarios. And then when they got after it and they went after it, they were way better.
They have to decide which one of those they want to be. And if they want to be ahead of things and using their hockey sense and getting after it, then they're going to be really good players.
If they want to be reserved and playing in the middle of the rink all the time and calculated well, we'll have to figure that part out."
They were a little reserved, holding back, kind of (getting there) second to different scenarios. And then when they got after it and they went after it, they were way better.
They have to decide which one of those they want to be. And if they want to be ahead of things and using their hockey sense and getting after it, then they're going to be really good players.
If they want to be reserved and playing in the middle of the rink all the time and calculated well, we'll have to figure that part out."
The Wings will take part in their first preseason game on Tuesday against the Chicago Blackhawks. It'll be interesting to see if the two players listen to their coach's comments and play with more energy on the ice.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 21 | 370 ANSWERS Todd McLellan believes these two Detroit Red Wings will be difference makers Who do you think will be the biggest difference-maker in Detroit this season between these two players? | ||
| JT Compher | 125 | 33.8 % |
| Andrew Copp | 245 | 66.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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