from Ansar Khan of Mlive,

Nine goals is a low total for a second-line center, but Andrew Copp has been a good facilitator, a top penalty-killing forward, a shutdown center and one of the few plus players on a minus team.

That’s why Detroit Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde is pleased with what Copp has provided.

“We’re getting to that point where you start evaluating someone on their season and we’re going to look back on Andrew’s season and he’s going to hard on himself because offensive numbers aren’t there, but he’s been very productive,” Lalonde said. “He’s been a very good player. Some nights he’s technically our (No. 1 center) depending on matchup, competition. We’ve asked a ton of him. His underlying numbers are going to be very good – expected goals for, against. That’s probably going to be my message to him.”

Copp returns to Winnipeg tonight when the Red Wings face the Jets at Canada Life Centre (8 p.m., Bally Sports Detroit Extra). He spent close to seven seasons with the Jets, who drafted him in the fourth round (104th overall) in 2013 out of Michigan.

Copp said he doesn’t expect to receive the kind of reception David Perron got in his return to St. Louis 10 days ago, but it will be emotional, nonetheless.

“It’ll be cool, getting drafted there, playing seven years, a lot of memories, a lot of good buddies still on the team,” Copp said. “It’s going to be interesting being back in the city and back in the building. Hopefully, once the game starts, that’ll get cleared out and just play the game.”

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