That center depth is average or below average

It’s pretty average
Two middle sixers for the second and third line
Third liner for a fourth liner

Copp and Compher are more 3C than either being the 2C

I said middle six, meaning they can be a top 6 player or top 9. There a solid player

I mean that’s your opinion. Depends who they play with because Copp was way better when he was centering Panarin

But to me they’re both 3Cs

Compher gets bashed a lot as not being a second line center. I don't know. Colorado was pretty good last year. Won their division. He was third in forwards for ice time at 20:32/game (2nd if you go by total ice time instead of per game, only Rantanen had more) and centered the first line with MacKinnon out. I'm not saying we're as good as Colorado from last season (we don't have anyone as good as MacKinnon, Makar, or Rantanen for a start), I'm just not ready to tear Compher apart as a middle of the lineup (2nd or 3rd line center), yet. Him or Copp are way above average 3C options. Neither is Zetterberg or Fedorov in their prime levels of 2C, but I won't rule the Red Wings out of the playoffs based on this center group, either. The teams with guys like Draisatl, Miller, Malkin, or Tavares as 2C are few and far between, not the standard to compete (and some didn't compete). Also, of course Copp played better with Panarin on his wing. Who wouldn't? That's not much of a criticism. McDavid would be better with Panarin on his wing.

Yes, what he said! While Copp and Compher wouldn’t be top 20 2C’s, they would easily both be top ten of 3C’s. and maybe even 2 of the best, really blurring the line between 2nd and 3rd line centres. They get hated on way too much for no reason. Both play a 200 foot game and can contribute offensively at the bottom end of 2C’s