The Free Press’s Helene St. James posted an article which discusses the recent reunion of Andrew Copp and Patrick Kane:
Thirty games, it’s been Lucas Raymond, Dylan Larkin and Alex DeBrincat who have done the bulk it. In an effort to get more out of the second line, and especially Patrick Kane, the coaching staff has of late looked to Andrew Copp to center the second line, between Kane and DeBrincat.
It’s Copp’s hockey IQ that got him the promotion.
“Andrew is consistently making a lot of plays for us,” coach Derek Lalonde said. “He’s given us really good play this year. He’s been a fairly consistent player in my three years here. Very valuable player.
“I think there’s something with him and Patrick and even Cat with some IQ – you can see they make plays. There’s some really high IQ there.”
Entering Wednesday’s game, Copp had seven goals among 13 points, and Kane had three goals among 11 points (he missed five games because of injury). DeBrincat, Larkin and Raymond each had 12 goals. Being on the second line means more playing time – Copp topped 17 vs. the Toronto Maple Leafs last weekend – than the circa 14 minutes Copp usually averages.
It also places Copp with highly skilled wingers.
“You have to be ready for the puck at all times,” Copp said. “(Kane) is going to find a lot of lanes and a lot of holes. So you have to be ready for the puck and go to places you he’s going to look.”
St. James also posted a video of Copp and Lalonde’s remarks:
