That's a real tough one for me. If you think back to 2019-20, when Little went down, Copp still didn't get promoted, at first it was Roslovic, Appleton, then Copp, then Eakin, and Copp produced 26 points for the season. At that point he hadn't broken the 30 point barrier. The next year he got promoted with Stats and Ehlers, as we waited for Dubois to arrive, and was given more PP time, and the numbers went up.
Appleton at least takes care of the PK aspect, I don't see an offensive ceiling to his game like Copp. But I remember suggesting Copp as a 2C before we traded for Stastny and Dubois, and the majority here didn't see that as a potential he had.
Appleton was an overage draft pick, who took a bit longer to get here, 2 years longer than Copp to become a full time NHLer. The 26-29 point range seems about right for him, which is where Copp was entering his 5th NHL season. Maybe there is something more, like Copp.
I am cheering for the kid too, who celebrated the summer of love with some of his other teammates. Maturity is not an issue.