Red Wings’ Andrew Copp will return first week of season

Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman announced a number of injuries to the Red Wings roster ahead of training camp.

Newly acquired free agent forward Andrew Copp underwent abdominal surgery in the offseason and is expected to return to the lineup during the first week of the regular season. Copp, who had spent much of his NHL career with the Winnipeg Jets prior to a trade deadline deal to the New York Rangers, signed a five-year, $28 million deal on the opening day of the NHL’s free agency period. Copp, 28, scored 21 goals and tallied 32 assists in 72 games split between the Jets and the Rangers last season.

The club also announced that defenseman Jake Walman will return from shoulder surgery in mid-November. Walman spent the majority of last season with the St. Louis Blues until he was dealt to the Red Wings in exchange for Oskar Sundqvist and a 2023 second-round pick. He tallied 10 points in 51 games combined with both clubs.

Additionally, the Red Wings announced that 26-year-old forward Robby Fabbri, who sustained a lower-body injury late last season in a game against the Minnesota Wild, will not return until after the new year. Fabbri registered 30 points in 56 games last season.

Newly acquired defenceman Mark Pysyk, who signed a one-year deal with the Red Wings this summer, will also return after the new year as he recovers from surgery on his Achilles tendon. A 10-year veteran of the game, Pysyk spent last season with the Buffalo Sabres registering 12 points in 68 games. Also, 23-year-old Chase Pearson will remain out indefinitely for personal reasons.

The Red Wings will host the Montreal Canadiens in their season opener on Oct. 14.