Kopecky had a rough season in 2013-14 between a concussion that limited him to 49 games and poor production (just 12 points). While he has never taken the leap to be a top flight player, Kopecky used to be able to contribute 30 or 40 points per year. At age 32, and with the Panthers accumulating young, highly-skilled forwards Kopecky's role isn't clear, but he can't be counted on for much in the way of scoring. Let someone else take a flyer on him.
Kopecky turned in a nice season in 2013 and is probably in his most productive years right now at age 31. He racked up 15 goals and 12 assists in 47 games while playing a top-6 role for the Panthers last year, and will probably find himself in the same situation season. It seems like a 20-goal, 40-point season is well within his reach, and would be his most productive season since his 2009-10 Stanley Cup-winning campaign with the Blackhawks.
Kopecky's first season with the Panthers saw him snag 10 goals and 22 assists. The production was a slight dip from the career-high 42 points the two-time Stanley Cup champion chipped in the season prior. Inconsistent play continues to dog Kopecky and it is what is keeping him from making the leap into fantasy relevance. Regardless, Kopecky can be counted on to score in the 30-40 point range, making him a decent fantasy option in deeper leagues, although his upside is limited.
Kopecky's 2010-11 campaign was his best as a professional, seeing him post a 15-27-42 stat line as a member of the Blackhawks. The totals represent career highs across the board. Kopecky's point totals have increased every season as a pro and the trend should continue as the two-time Stanley Cup champion brings a winning attitude to the new-look Panthers. Kopecky is not a superstar, but he consistently contributes enough to be a reliable fantasy option in the 40-50-point range.
Kopecky is the other free agent that came from the Detroit Red Wings (in addition to Marian Hossa). The 28-year-old right winger has seen his numbers go up after skating full time the last three seasons, although not spectacularly. His point total was up slightly in 2009-10 by two points to 10 goals and 11 assists. With the loss of the likes of Dustin Byfuglien and others, Kopecky might be able to pounce on more ice time and increase his points significantly in 2010-11.
Kopecky wants to build off his 2008-09 season where he set career highs with six goals, 13 assists and 19 points in 79 regular-season games for the Red Wings. Missed some time in the playoffs after breaking orbital bones around his right eye. With a new team it is hard to say if this will boost or reduce his numbers.
Returning from ACL surgery, Kopecky isn't expected to maintain more than a fourth-line role for the Wings this season. Given the team's depth and the number of veterans competing for limited roster spot, he may be deemed expendable if the Wings can't stash him away at Grand Rapids (AHL).
Kopecky is going to be a fourth-liner for the Red Wings this year, if he even makes the club. He's never been projected as a major offensive threat.
He's done a fair bit of scoring in the AHL, but the Red Wings are still a deep team up front, which means Kopecky will be lucky to land on one of the bottom two lines. He has made the team out of training camp, but until the Red Wings show him a lot of icetime, you can continue to ignore him.
Don't let the size and draft slot (2/38 in 2000) fool you too much, as he's still projected as a future fourth-line forward. Until we see some uptick, Kopecky isn't pool worthy at the moment.
