After an offseason full of movement once again by the Detroit Red Wings and general manager (GM) Steve Yzerman, there are high hopes that the organization can finally earn a playoff spot in the 2024-25 season. The expectations and hopes are relayed and shown in ESPN’s yearly stat projections for some of the players on the team. The question is, who can meet/exceed these projections, and who will come up short?
JT Compher: Over
2023-24 stats: 77 games played, 19 goals, 29 assists, 48 points
2024-25 projection: 78 games played, 18 goals, 31 assists, 49 points
After a solid first season with the Red Wings that saw JT Compher score a career-high 19 goals, he should be in the same range in both offensive categories thanks to being surrounded on the second line with a bit more talent than he had last season. If he can stay healthy and play as consistently as last season, there is no reason not to believe Compher cannot reach the 50-point mark if he is put on a line with someone like offseason addition Vladimir Tarasenko or Patrick Kane.
Andrew Copp: Under
2023-24 stats: 79 games played, 13 goals, 20 assists, 33 points
2024-25 projection: 81 games played, 13 goals, 23 assists, 36 points
A player who has been a bit underwhelming offensively since arriving in Detroit before the 2022-23 season, Andrew Copp has still been a solid middle-six forward for the Red Wings. Last season did see a dip in playing time for Copp (dropping from 18:09 a game to 16:16), and that could continue to happen this season with the moves that Yzerman has made, mixed in with the outside chance a prospect or two could make a push for the roster.
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A 36-point season like ESPN has projected for Copp would be finding a middle ground between his first two seasons as a Red Wing, but with the chance of a decrease in ice time, he seems to be more likely than not to hover around the low 30s this season.
Alex DeBrincat: Over
2023-24 stats: 82 games played, 27 goals, 40 assists, 67 points
2024-25 projection: 82 games played, 28 goals, 41 assists, 69 points
After being the big offseason acquisition last year, Alex DeBrincat started on a tear in a Red Wings jersey. The issue with his game, though, was that there were times throughout the season when he seemed invisible offensively. Heading into this season, the hope is that he can become more of a consistent presence in the offensive zone. Being…
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