Blackhawks and Red Wings Emerge as Trade Parters Following Andrew Copp Injury

The Detroit Red Wings announced that Andrew Copp, a favorited Red Wings player, has undergone surgery due to an unforeseen injury.

It has been reported that Copp will miss the remainder of the 2024/25 NHL season, as he continues to recover and prepare for the upcoming 2025/26 season.

However, this absence has now left a hole to fill in the Detroit Red Wings lineup.

For the benefit of the Red Wings organization, it would only make sense to replace Copp with a cheaper roster addition, to relieve tension on their cap space.

This is where the Chicago Blackhawks come into play.

But the player that would fit Detroit's immediate needs would be Ryan Donato.

Despite the fact Chicago may possibly re-sign Donato, it becomes clearer day by day that the organization won't be able to.

However, as the Blackhawks continue their rebuild, and considering the rate of how things are going for the team, there would be no logical reason to keep Donato without a contract through the trade deadline.

With that being said, Chicago should be reaching out to see if there is any interest in Donato for the Red Wings currently.

Although Copp and Donato are very different players, at the moment this might be the best move for both teams.

The 28-year-old player, Ryan Donato, was initially believed to be valued at a low-third round pick, and despite his great season so far, it seems as though that is still the asking price.

This may be a downside for the Chicago Blackhawks, but with the fact Donato doesn't have a new contract, the organization has to get what they can for him.

Regardless of Donato's destination, the likelihood for the Blackhawks to receive a third-round pick in return is high.