Who would you protect?

So protect Lowry (assuming he re-signs)?
Why not trade Copp?

Why wouldn't you protect Copp?

Lowry deal is confirmed and done.



It looks like Appleton and Harkins will be exposed. Copp gets the protection spot from wheeler waiving his NMC (I’m hoping he does this).

What would be the price on Copp in a trade?

Copp doesn't need Wheels to waive...we can protect 7 forwards

Scheifele, Wheeler, Lowry, Connor, Ehlers, Dubois, Appleton

That’s how I view it right now. Think management knows Copp is likely going to arbitration and will walk as a FA, that’ll likely end up with them protecting Appleton over Copp.

I still think we lose berdin in the ED

It’s either Copp or Appleton, if Copp is available though I’d hope Yzerman would call on him. It’s a risk though based on his next contract ask, his current production this year may vault that ask up especially with Kurt as his agent.

Yeah his agent definitely doesn’t make him an attractive acquisition. He’s likely going to ask for like 5-6 years at 4-4.75m a year. Fair price IMO and if he’d take that to stay in Winnipeg I’d give it to him.

I think the writing is on the wall for Copp in Winnipeg though. He already filed for arb last year, if he’s not traded he’ll do it again and walk as a FA next summer.

I can't imagine you would protect Appleton over Copp, that seems like poor asset management

I get it looks like that on the surface, but with Copp filing for arbitration last year, and likely doing it again, he’s just going to walk as a FA. Now, I do think it would be smart to trade him at the draft for a top 4 dman. Just not sure there’d be any takers on that.

Protect Copp. If you can't sign him long term then you trade him at the trade deadline. If he has another year like this one he will have value. Isn't it about time Vesalainen stepped up.

Yeah would be nice for vesalainen to jump into the top 9 next year. He looked like he was ready to take that step this year, but Maurice prefers to play vets over the younger guys so he got sent down.

Should get his chance next year with Stastny and potentially Appleton gone.

Think it’s more likely we see Copp and Harkins gone. Stastny is probably brought back at like 3 million, Harkins chosen in expansion draft. Copp traded at the TDL for a top 4 dman.

I would use that 3M to try and sign Copp to a reasonable deal or barring that a cheaper forward to play 3rd line and move Copp up while you wait another year for Perfetti.

Copp will file for arbitration and get a 1 year deal and walk as a FA. Only way Jets keep him is if he signs long term or they have a trade in place.