Detroit – Andrew Cope is coming home.
The Ann Arbor native, who attended Skyline and the University of Michigan, signed a five-year, $28.125 million contract Wednesday with Red Wings, shortly after starting an unrestricted free agency.
“It’s not just a one or two year decision, it’s a five year decision. KOP TSN . said. “I really love where this team is headed, I just want to be a part of it in the future.”
Copp was the first signing, but there was a lot going on as the day progressed.
General Manager Steve Wasserman has been busy, reportedly adding veteran defender Oli Mata (one year/$2.25 million) and Ben Chiaroot (four years/$19 million, $4.75 million).
Mata, 27, spent last season with the Los Angeles Kings, with one goal and seven assists for eight points in 66 games, with a 17-plus rating.
Cobb, 28, spent six full seasons in Winnipeg before being dealt a trade deadline last season against the New York Rangers. Cobb set his career best, scoring 21 goals and 32 assists between the two teams for 53 points (in 72 matches).
Kopp was particularly effective with Rangers, totaling 18 points (eight goals, 10 assists) in 16 games, then adding six goals and eight assists (14 points) in 20 playoffs.
The Rangers wanted to keep Cobb, but he valued himself by setting their salary cap, landing with his hometown Red Wings.
Prior to last season, Cobb’s career highest was in the 2020-21 season in Winnipeg, when he scored 15 goals and 24 assists.
The 2013 Cup was a fourth-round pick by Winnipeg, outside of Michigan.
He played youth cup hockey at Detroit Computers, then in the Plymouth-based United States National Team Development Program, before attending Michigan.
Copp was an excellent high school quarterback for Skyline setting a record in 2011 for passing yards in a game (557) in a 52-49 loss to Ann Arbor Pioneer.
Maata was a 2012 first-round pick by the Pittsburgh Penguins, the 22nd pick overall. Mata played in 534 National Hockey League games, with Pittsburgh and Chicago, and the last two seasons with the Kings.
Mata, a left-handed shot, fills a gap in that part of the lineup, as does Kyarot.
Another left-hand shot, an area the Wings wanted to tackle, the 31-year-old Chiarot spent last season with Montreal and Florida.
Chiarot played 74 matches between the two teams, scoring nine goals and 17 assists, for 26 points. The previous 2009 fourth-round pick from Atlanta Thrashers, Keyaroot is 6-foot-3, 234 pounds.
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