Fourth-line centre role suits Copp’s hockey IQ

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This article was published 03/01/2019 (2497 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

This story begins with an important warning: when using a small sample size, one should be careful not to put too much stock into the results.

It’s a rule that should certainly apply when assessing the Winnipeg Jets and their most recent adjustment to the fourth line, a move that resulted in a successful one-game trial with centreman Andrew Copp playing between wingers Jack Roslovic and Brendan Lemieux. Together, the trio combined for five points to lead the Jets to a 4-3 road win over the Edmonton Oilers on Monday. Lemieux enjoyed a two-goal night.

Indeed, it would be foolish to suggest the Jets, after one promising game, have found the right recipe for the fourth line to fill the net on a nightly basis, or even just to earn more ice time (the line currently averages fewer than 10 minutes per game). But the recent changes — and one in particular — have had an early payoff and there might just be enough already to suggest Winnipeg is on to something.

“Every week they get a little bit better and then they have some success, so now we have an interest in making sure we keep that going,” Jets head coach Paul Maurice said following Thursday’s practice. “It’s on them to bring the intensity level that will allow them to play.”

For much of the season Maurice has tinkered with his fourth line in search of a spark, using mostly first- and second-year players to fill the holes. Because many of the options — which have included the consistent presence of Roslovic, Lemieux, Nic Petan and Mason Appleton — require time to adapt to the speed of play in the NHL, the progress has been slow. So, too, have the results.

Last game, though, the fourth line put forth arguably its best effort of the season, keeping the Oilers out of the Jets’ end while also generating offence. A big part of that success had to do with Copp replacing Roslovic at centre. By moving the 26-year-old player back to the middle, the line has gained more trust from Maurice, something that wasn’t always there with Roslovic.

“Their progress, any of the four or five them, we think has gone well. You got a couple young guys on the wings learning, it takes these guys a while,” said Maurice. “I have liked the progression of Jack Roslovic in the middle, but Andrew has more experience there.”

‘I have liked the progression of Jack Roslovic in the middle, but Andrew has more experience there’
– Winnipeg Jets head coach Paul Maurice

Maurice continued: “Andrew can also do some really good things with the puck. He’s got some hands to him and his smarts — his hockey IQ — makes Andrew one of those rare players that we never really showed much video to from the time he got here. He just doesn’t make many mistakes, so he can stabilize that group. I’ve got more time for that fourth line.”

Copp has played centre for much of his tenure with the Jets, dating back to his first full season in 2015-16. It wasn’t until he found success with Adam Lowry and Brandon Tanev on the third line — known around these parts as the “TLC” line — that he was regularly playing on the left wing. But when he suffered a concussion that sidelined him for 10 games in December, his return created an opportunity to manage his workload by putting him on the fourth line.

Shortly after, there came a conversation with Maurice. With Matthieu Perreault having success with Lowry and Tanev, including a five-game goal-scoring streak (three on the power play), Maurice asked Copp about the idea of moving to centre. The theory was it could help in a number of areas; among them was Copp’s strength in faceoffs, which would allow for more defensive-zone starts. Against Edmonton, he was a team-high 71 per cent in the faceoff dot, winning five of seven draws.

It would also allow Copp the chance to show off other components to his game, mostly on the offensive side. Playing with Lowry and Tanev, his primary job was to shut down the opposing team’s top line. Matched up against lesser opponents on the fourth line, he’ll be asked to do more in the offensive end. For Copp, it was a good idea; that is, as long as he was still being trusted on the ice. After all, he was still being asked to log notable time on the penalty kill, which made it easier to look at his new role in a positive light.

“I played 12 minutes last game. If I’m doing that and playing centre, then no issues. Obviously, with Lowry’s line I like to be in that 15-minute range,” said Copp. “Centre can be a lot of responsibility to a young player and that’s what Paul is doing right now, just easing (Roslovic) in. Having me play centre kind of gives him a little more trust, maybe, but it makes each line a little bit more dynamic. (Perreault) has put up good offensive numbers over the course of his career, so maybe that gives Lowry and Tanev a little bit more offence and then it kind of changes the dynamic of the fourth line. We’re playing well right now, so I don’t really view it as a demotion at all.”

“As a young centre I’ve really only played with rookies,” said Roslovic. “That definitely makes it a little bit harder but in terms of me now switching, Copper obviously has some experience at centre and he can play with the younger guys and that makes it a little bit easier, a little bit more stress-free for the coaches, too. It’s all about how much they trust you, with how much they want you out there, knowing you’ll do the right thing.”

Copp has 65 points in 250 NHL games, including 27 goals. But it’s the ability to adapt to any line — much like Perreault has done over his time with the Jets — that perhaps makes him most valuable. Playing centre, especially between inexperienced players, Copp understands it’s his job to get the most out of his linemates.

“That’s the strength of my game, is my hockey IQ, so if I know where to be for those guys they can trust me, trust that I’m going to be in the perfect spot every time and that can allow them to just worry about themselves and worry about what they need to be doing instead of worrying about everything else that’s going out on the ice,” Copp said. “They’re two good players that if they continue on the path that they’re on then they’re going to be good players for us, for sure.”

jeff.hamilton@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @jeffkhamilton