Citing multiple sources close to the Kings and Kopitar, TFP Editor-in-Chief David Pagnotta has reported that most items of Kopitar’s eight-year contract are agreed upon, however the two sides remain at odds on salary.
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“I always thought some day, somehow everything was going to turn around and go for the better, so I never really thought about this not getting done, ” Kopitar said told reporters in El Segundo after Wednesday’s practice. He has been their leading scorer in each of the past eight seasons, including in 2014-15, when he had 64 points (16 goals, 48 assists).
Kopitar is expected to sign his contract extension Friday, LA Kings Insider learned from a high ranking Kings executive on Thursday morning.
If Kopitar had made a decision to explore free agency July 1, he could only have sought, at most, a seven-year deal from another team. The three-time All-Star has helped the Kings to two Stanley Cup championships and has won numerous team awards while being nominated for the Selke Trophy each of the last two years. He owns 230 goals and 645 points in 725 career National Hockey League games, all with the Kings. Rosen went on to say, “No reason to get concerned over anything Kopitar-wise”.
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Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar (11) jumps over the boards and onto the ice to begin his shift as does right wing Marian Gaborik (12) against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre.
