You might not have noticed it, but Andrew Copp took a few more steps forward as being someone whom the Jets can rely on to center a third or maybe even second line. With a new contract due this summer and at the ripe age of 25 this fall, this past season could be one that we look back on as the setup to a breakout season in 2019-20.

As we continue our look back at the season that was for each individual Winnipeg Jet, you can find the full list and links to logbooks for other players as well as resource credits by checking out the prologue.

This past season was the second and last year of a two year deal of a $2,000,000 deal signed on July 12, 2017 with his cap hit at $1,000,000. Copp will be an restricted free agent as of July 2019 (Source: NHLNumbers.com)

On the surface it doesn’t seem like Andrew Copp’s 2018-19 season was one worth taking much note over. He struggled early in the season with just one goal and three points in his first 21 games played when a concussion sidelined him for a stretch of games in late November after an awkward hit from Minnesota’s J.T. Brown.

Upon his return in December, Copp started finding his offense with a little more consistency even as he was typically played on the Jets fourth line and had a variety if linemates through out the season.

Copp’s primary role on the team seemed to be that of a defensive forward going against team’s middle six forward groups. Playing besides the likes of Mason Appleton and Brendan Lemieux (before Lemieux was traded to New York at the deadline) the line provided a steady presence on the ice that kept opposing teams honest. Copp as that line’s centerman was key to it working out as well as it did for the Jets. When you look at the 5 on 5 “With or Without You” chart below, Copp was able to help elevate the play of both Appleton and Lemieux as he was a great complementary style player to what Mason and Brendan brought to the ice. Together they were defensively responsible enough to keep things even and had enough offensive talent to cause match-up issues for teams who would prefer to focus on just the top line.

Copp of course spent a fair amount of time with his TLC linemates in Adam Lowry and Brandon Tanev. It was with that trio that Copp would see more regular time on the Jets third line, but that line as a unit was seen as more of a shutdown group than one relied on for offense. Andrew also saw a good amount of offensive success playing on a line with Mathieu Perreault – who as we know can play and elevate pretty much anyone – and Jack Roslovic which should give Jets fans a possible look into a future where Copp is a viable top six forward.

By the end of the season, Andrew averaged 1:34 less ice time this season compared to last season, played in 13 less games and still managed to have a career high in goals and was two off his top mark for points set a season earlier. When you pair that with a brutally slow start to the season, his numbers are actually very impressive for a bottom six forward.

 

Here’s a crazy question to ask yourself this summer… Could Andrew Copp be the answer for the Jets when it comes to the second line center position? It’s a big ask for a player who has spent his first four NHL seasons as a bottom six forward, but this past season he showed signs that he could carry a line that had less than ideal talent and his offensive numbers even while being given assignments that require him to focus more on the defensive side of the game may be an indication that with the right talent beside him, he could be a 15+ goal player who can play both ends of the ice well. The deal he signs this summer likely won’t be for more than a couple of seasons between the one to two million per year mark, and it would be wise of the Jets to go into camp next season with a value contract like that and be willing to give Copp a chance to show what he can do with a bigger role on the club.