An area the Wings need to improve next season, Compher said, is being a more consistent team. It's a trait many Wings players talked about, as well as general manager Steve Yzerman and coach Derek Lalonde. The highs and lows, from month to month, were staggering and likely cost the Wings ultimately some valuable points.
"Every team that battles that question, of how do we become more consistent," Compher said. "We learned the hard way that every point matters. It's so cliche, but every point matters. It's a hard way to learn that lesson, but when it's in the middle of February this could be the point that pushes us ahead."
Compher, 29, signed a five-year contract on July 1 with the Wings, worth $25.5 million ($5.1 million annual average value). The move was made to fill the second-line spot, and add the versatility and experience that Compher can provide to a lineup.
Compher had 48 points (19 goals, 29 assists) in 77 games with a minus-five plus-minus rating. Compher had 17 goals and 52 points his final season in Colorado (in 82 games). Though the offensive numbers dipped, Lalonde was thrilled with what Compher brought to the roster.
"Winning those shifts, the growth in his game, he's a very valuable player for us," Lalonde said "He's someone that can play in every situation. He can take faceoffs on both sides (of the ice). He has a lot of pride in penalty kill. He gets mad at me if after an extended shift I don't put him out first on the penalty kill.
"There's some games he’s getting 22, 23 (minutes). I don’t know if that's healthy or productive for him over time, but I just can’t help it. I'm trying to get through a matchup or end of a period and he's on all the special teams.
"He's a really good player for us."