Andrew Copp, not one to mince words, zeroed in on the essence of what will define the Detroit Red Wings in 2025-26.

'"It’s a team do-or-die type of year," Copp said Tuesday, Sept. 23. "We have to make the playoffs. That’s our only goal, that’s our only focus. Anything short of that is going to be looked as at not good enough."

Copp projects to be part of a line with potential to help the Wings reach that goal: Reunited with Michael Rasmussen, who at his best plays a heavy, defensive game similar to Copp, and with ex-Michigan State forward Mason Appleton , brought in over the summer to help toughen the team.

Copp had just started to his best version of. himself when he suffered a season-ending injury late last February. The Wings need him to recapture that form, and they need Rasmu

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