Red Wings Sign Forward Compher to Five-Year Deal

The Detroit Red Wings, thought to be done with the first day of NHL free agency, announced the signing of forward J.T. Compher to a five-year, $5.1 million deal.

UPDATE: The #RedWings today signed forward J.T. Compher to a five-year contract with an AAV of $5,100,000. pic.twitter.com/27j678Y6iQ

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) July 1, 2023

Compher, 28, scored 52 points with the Colorado Avalanche last season, a career high.

This feels a lot like Andrew Copp 2.0 to me.  A second line center who can play on the wing.  Is Compher expected to shift to wing and move up to the top line?  Does Copp shift down to the third line giving the Red Wings Dylan Larkin – Compher – Copp – Joe Veleno down the middle (with Michael Rasmussen on the wing)?  If the latter, that makes Copp a $5.6 million third-line center.  Is it any better if Compher is on the third line at $5.1 million?

Make no mistake, this move makes the Red Wings better.  Their middle six is much stronger now.  I’m just not sold that $5.1 million for five years was best spent there.