DETROIT -- Andrew Copp is entering is 11th full NHL season and he has to think back all the way to 2015 to remember his first NHL game.
But it's a pleasant memory, as it is with all players.
"It was in Winnipeg, last game of the regular season," Copp said. "We'd clinched the playoffs in Game 81, and I had just signed after my (senior) season at Michigan. Got to play the last game. I did the (solo) lap, the 'no bucket' (rookie player skating in warmups without his helmet), Buff (Dustin Byfuglien) hid it (helmet) from me in the locker room. I played well, had an assist, and we won.
"All good things."
Memorable, for sure. On Thursday, as the Wings open their "Centennial" season against Montreal, rookies Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, Emmitt Finnie and Axel Sandin-Pellikka all are likely to skate in their first NHL regular-season game.
It's been a rather surprising and unexpected development. The odds were against them when training camp began. Most everyone suspected all three would begin the season in Grand Rapids gaining pro experience.
But, as everyone around the locker room has described it, they "earned it." And the jolt of youthful enthusiasm and energy has excited the lineup.
"It's been good," Copp said. "New faces. They're young, you know, especially Fin(nie), he looks like he's 12. It's been great. All had great training camps. I don't think anyone on our team feels like they got handed anything. They all deserve it, which is a great part of them coming in.
"You see some young players are kind of handed spots, but it definitely feels like they've earned everything. Everyone that has come through Detroit, Marco (Kasper) last year, too. It's been good. We're looking forward to seeing how they are in the regular season. Our whole team is looking forward to it."
An impressive part about the young players is how they quickly established themselves to the coaching staff with two good prospect tournament games in Dallas, then had three formidable games in Traverse City for training camp.
Once the exhibition games began, all three got better and left an impression each game.
Coach Todd McLellan isn't planning any huge discussions with any of the three youngsters about the differences and difficulties ahead with the regular season. McLellan wants them as "free and loose" as possible.
"We won't (talk with them), we being the staff," McLellan said. "There will be some casual conversations, but I won't be bringing them in and saying 'Hey, it's going to get fast and intense.' But the players around them have reminded them or prepared them for that. I don't want them wound up. They'll have nerves. I want them to play a little free and loose.
"Their palms will be sweaty. Mine will be. But I want them to play free and not overburden them."
Finnie, Sandin-Pellikka and Brandsegg-Nygard have turned what had been expected to be another somewhat stale lineup into one that looks unexpectedly fresh and potentially surprising.
They each have different strengths they bring to the Wings' table. They all are playing with confidence after three successful weeks of attempting to make the NHL roster.
What's been one trait that has stood out?
With Brandsegg-Nygard, a 2024 first-round draft pick, it's been the fact he appears to be able to play a physical game that most 20-year-olds aren't usually capable of doing. He's played against men in Europe; he has an NHL shot; he carries himself like a professional.
"We have to pay attention to his strengths like his physicality; he can play as a bully a little bit," McLellan said. "He's got a tremendous shot. The hunt mentality we're trying to adopt; he's part of that."
Brandsegg-Nygard felt it was important the Wings knew he could play a physical, hard game. They obviously know now.
"It's pretty cool to be here and it's been a dream, so hopefully I can keep the spot," Brandsegg-Nygard said. "I know what I can do, and I just try my best and see what comes out of it."
Finnie has to be the biggest surprise. A 2023 seventh-round pick (201st overall), Finnie’s ability to complement Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond on the team’s No. 1 line, playing with speed, energy and smarts has been eye-opening.
"I had the mindset coming in here I was just going to take it one day at a time and work as hard as I can and see where it gets me," Finnie said. "To be in this position right now is pretty cool."
Said McLellan: "His gas tank runs on nitro because the way he skates is just not regular premium. He's such an efficient skater."
Sandin-Pellikka was a 2023 first-round pick who dominated the Swedish Elite League with his playmaking and on-ice vision as one of the best offensive defensemen in recent memory. He built up to that during training camp, getting more comfortable and dynamic with each preseason game.
"Axe has improved as camp's gone on better and better each night, each game, each practice," McLellan said."(He felt) a little more confident; comfortable whether it's with us as coaching staff; his teammates; level play; size ice surface; strength pace he's been able adjust to."
Sandin-Pellikka felt it was vital to "keep the game simple."
"Just be good defensively; have a good stick; (and) use my brain. Offensively; just keep doing what I'm doing," Sandin-Pellikka said.