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Surgery Puts Andrew Copp on Shelf 4-6 Months

Originally posted on Detroit Hockey Now | By Kevin Allen | Last updated Feb 25, 2025 3:23 PM ET

Veteran forward Andrew Copp will miss the remainder of the season after having successful surgery today to repair the left pectoral tendon.

He was injured during the melee that ensued Saturday when teammate Alex DeBrincat clobbered Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber. The official recovery time for this injury is four to six months.

Looks like this is when Copp gets hurt in yesterday's game?

Comes in for the scrum, stays on his knees after arm/shoulder gets pinched/hit, oddly. #LGRW

(No clue if this has been mentioned already, just now seeing it). https://t.co/nRUZZraDjP

— Ryan (@rdryan33) February 23, 2025

The Red Wings have already called up Sheldon Dries from the Grand Rapids Griffins to fill the roster, but having Copp ($5.65 million salary) on Long-Time Injured Reserve (LTIR) expands their opportunity to acquire a player before the trade deadline.

With Michael Rasmussen also sidelined day-to-day, Dries should be in the lineup tonight when the Red Wings play at Minnesota.

When a player is on LTIR, it allows his team to exceed the salary cap by the amount of his salary.

Puckpedia.com shows an NHL trade deadline projection of more than $13 million available.

If the Red Wings continue to compete for a playoff spot, the assumption will be that GM Steve Yzerman will be looking for a center at the deadline, and perhaps a veteran depth defenseman.

Centers who could be available at the deadline: New York Islanders’ Brock Nelson, Nashville Predators’ Ryan O’Reilly, St. Louis Blues’ Brayden Schenn and Boston Bruins’ Trent Frederic.

This article first appeared on Detroit Hockey Now and was syndicated with permission.

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