The Detroit Red Wings signed J.T. Compher to be a veteran leader after helping the Colorado Avalanche win the Stanley Cup in 2022, yet it hasn’t worked out as many had thought.
Heavy.com proposed a deal that would see the Red Wings trade Compher back to the Avalanche in an intriguing move.
Red Wings acquire:
- Ivan Ivan
- 2027 fifth-round pick
Avalanche acquire:
The proposed deal would be an intriguing one as Detroit would acquire a young NHL forward who adds some more youth to the lineup, while the Avalanche re-acquire Compher to bolster their roster for another run at the Stanley Cup.
The Red Wings would acquire Ivan, who’s entering the final year of his two-year, $1.69 million deal. The 22-year-old went undrafted and did play in NHL games last season, and could be a third-line player for the Red Wings or play in the AHL. Last season, he recorded 5 goals and 3 assists for 8 points in 40 games. He also appeared in 36 AHL games, recording 2 goals and 10 assists for 12 points.
Detroit would also acquire a late-round pick in 2027 as part of the proposed deal.
In return, the Red Wings would trade Compher back to the Avalanche. Colorado traded away Charlie Coyle, who didn’t fit in with the Avalanche, and Compher would be a perfect replacement for him. He has three years left on his five-year, $25.5 million deal with the Red Wings. Compher recorded 11 goals and 21 assists for 32 points in 76 games. He played seven years with the Avs, including winning the Cup in 2022.
Compher Loved Playing for the Avalanche
With Colorado needing to create some cap space, the Avalanche opted not to re-sign Compher, and the Red Wings jumped at the chance to sign him.
Compher made his return to Colorado in March of 2024, and he was eager to return and play in front of the fans again.
“These fans bring it, and it’s a testament to the team that was built and how excited the fans have become about the product on the ice and the teams that have been throughout the years,” Compher said. “It’s going to be a great challenge. It’s a game that we’re excited for. We’ve done pretty good on the road, we embrace these challenges and we’ll be excited for tonight.”
Compher was also beloved by his teammates and coaches, as Colorado coach Jared Bednar praised the veteran centerman.
“I think that he put in the work to become a great everyday NHL player — well-rounded player,” Bednar said. “We asked him to do a lot, like he was basically our Swiss Army knife for at least a handful of years. Young player comes in, good offensive ability, great skater — gets tougher and tougher every level you go up to be able to put the puck in the back of the net and help produce on a nightly basis. So he found other areas of his game that he strengthened and we used him in all areas.”
Compher recorded 5 goals and 3 assists for 8 points in 20 playoff games in 2022 when the Avs won the Stanley Cup.
Red Wings GM Believes Team is Better
Detroit has missed the playoffs in nine straight years. Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman is hopeful that the drought ends.
Yzerman has had a rather quiet offseason, but did add some depth players, and he believes the team is better now than it was at the end of the season.
“Today, I think our team is a little bit more competitive,” Yzerman said. “Maybe constructed a little better than it was at this stage last year, so I’m hopeful that we take a step… Overall, I think we’re a little bit better. How many points does that translate to in the season? We’re going to find out.”
The Red Wings have just over $12 million in cap space.
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This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
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