Jets trade forward Andrew Copp to Rangers for prospect, three picks

The Winnipeg Jets have traded forward Andrew Copp and a 2023 sixth-round pick to the New York Rangers.

In return, the Jets get forward Morgan Barron, two conditional second-round picks and a fifth-round pick in 2023.

Details about the conditional picks:

Conditional second round pick 1: Rangers' second-round pick in 2022 becomes a first-round pick in 2022 if the Rangers advance to the Eastern Conference Final and Copp plays in at least 50 percent of New York's playoff games.

Conditional second round pick 2: either St. Louis' second-round pick in 2022 or the Rangers' second-round pick in 2023.

Barron, 23, was a sixth-round pick by the Rangers in 2017. In 13 games with the Rangers this season, he had one assist.

Copp has been one of the most intriguing names to watch leading up to Monday’s deadline considering his versatility, leadership, and contract status — not to mention, the Jets’ recent surge after looking like sure sellers mid-season. 

A long arbitration process last summer, which resulted in a one-year pact worth $3.64 million for 2021-22, walks the 27-year-old into unrestricted free agency for the first time this summer and all but guaranteed his days in Winnipeg would be numbered. 

Copp can play anywhere — he primarily suits up at centre but is really effective on the wing, too — and in all situations, his penalty-killing prowess is one of the strongest parts of his game. 

This season has seen Copp put up some of his strongest numbers to date. With 13 goals and 35 points through 56 games this year, the Michigan-born forward is on pace to blow away his previous personal bests from one year ago. The 2020-21 season brought a boost in Copp’s game, and in the 111 combined contests between this season and last, he’s tallied 28 goals and 46 assists for 74 points.