Derek Lalonde Criticizes His Forward for His Lack of Defense
Photo credit: Detroit Hockey Now
The Red Wings haven't made many disappointing acquisitions late, more than forward Andrew Copp. Steve Yzerman signed him to a 5-year, $6 Million AAV, to play the 2nd center role for the Wings.
That decision to make him a key player, however, has exploded in the team's face as he has been nothing short of a disappointment.
The forward has gone long stretches, of 20 games without contributing a point, and has shown defensive lapses on the ice regularly.
For that kind of money, that is highly unacceptable and his lack of defensive play set the Wings back against the Washington Capitals.
Dylan Strome has spent two seasons in DC. Dylan Strome has set a career-high in goals scored in each of his two seasons in DC. pic.twitter.com/4YCNZZqcVx— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 27, 2024
During the third period against the Capitals, the Red Wings would lose their 2-1 lead by the Capitals and Dylan Strome whose go-ahead goal, sealed the deal.
This would anger Derek Lalonde and lead to him calling out Andrew Copp in a post-game interview.
"Just a faceoff man-on-man, I don't know what our center (Copp) was thinking," Lalonde said. "He lost it clean and left the center and that's the guy (Strome) who banged it home. That's minor hockey, that's Hockey 101, that's hockey 15 years ago and hockey 15 years from now.
"Just really disappointed in that one."
"Just really disappointed in that one."
Strome would win the face-off and evade Copp to find a vulnerable side of Alex Lyon and would find a great scoring chance, leaving Copp in the dust.
Copp has played 71 games for the Red Wings and his numbers have been terrible, with 20 points( 12 G, 8 A), which is even worse than last season's 33-point campaign.
If Copp doesn't find a way to change up his game soon, he will be one of Yzerman's worst pickups lately.
As Seen On: hockeyfeed.com
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MARS 28 | 219 ANSWERS Derek Lalonde Criticizes His Forward for His Lack of Defense Do you think the Red Wings should trade Andrew Copp? | ||
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