The Detroit Red Wings are looking to take another step in becoming more competitive. Yzerman took to free agency days after a sneaky good 2023 draft class. Justin Holl, Brogan Rafferty, Shayne Gostisbehere, J.T. Compher and Tim Gettinger, and Daniel Sprong. in addition, goalies Alex Lyon and James Reimer and Christian Fisher were all signed. Yet it is J.T. Compher who is set to perhaps make the biggest impact. So how does J.T. Compher fit the Detroit Red Wings?
How Compher Fits In Detroit
Detroit Red Wings GM, Steve Yzerman is looking to push the seven-year rebuild along. Furthermore, this is another consecutive free-agency frenzy. One of the more notable was former Colorado Avalanche J.T. Compher. Coming off a season that saw Compher reach the 50-point plateau (52) for the first time in his six-year career, Yzerman is banking Compher can help Detro,it. So where does J.T. Compher fit into Detroit’s plans and what can he add to the lineup? Let’s take a look.
What Compher Brings To Detroit
J.T. Compher was selected 35th overall by the Buffalo Sabers in the 2013 NHL Entry Level Draft. Compher announced his plans to attend the University of Michigan. However, while at college the Sabres traded his rights to the Avalanche. While with the Colorado, he worked to establish himself. He was good at using his good speed, and fearlessness in the corners. In addition, he was putting himself in a good position and becoming solid in the faceoff circle with a well round two-way game Compher found life on the Colorado second line.
With a career-high 52 points this past season, there is a fair question to be asked. Was Compher aided by linemates Nathan MacKinnon or Mikko Rantanen both of whom Compher saw time with as he moved between the top two lines? While it is possible the fact that Compher still reached 52 points can not be dismissed as Comph’s numbers were trending upwards.
Where Does Compher Fit?
As for where he will fit with the Detroit Red Wings that has been stated by Yzerman who has said multiple times that he wants players who are hard to play against. They feel that Compher brings some Bertuzzi-like qualities to the lineup in terms of grit and competition. Bertuzzi was traded at the deadline to the Boston Bruins.
The contract is a 5- years $25.5M all guaranteed the annual average salary of $5.100,000. Again with 17 goals, 35- assists, and 52- points, Compher is coming off his best NHL season. Playing both left wing and centre gives Detroit some flexibility with Compher. Furthermore, it also means that the team does not need to rush last year’s first-round draft pick, Marco Kasper. Compher is the type of player teams bring in when a rebuild is complete. Yzerman said the Red Wings are still rebuilding which makes the signing a bit curious.
J. T. Compher is a solid player who can help the Red Wings given his play stays at the level it has been. Entering his prime years this is possible. Detroit covets the veteran’s grit and competitive level and hopes it will wear off on younger players still looking to find their footing. The core group is in place and has depth to it. As for the Red Wings, they are a team and organization that is trending in the right direction. Adding players like J.T. Compher can only help to get the winged wheels back in the NHL Playoffs soon. Yzerman’s plan is to move the rebuild along while giving prospects time to develop and if the Red Wings make the playoffs that is a bonus.
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