Kings ink Kopitar to 2-year, $14M contract extension

Anze Kopitar isn’t going anywhere.

The Los Angeles Kings signed their captain to a two-year contract extension with an average annual value of $7 million, the team announced Thursday.

Kopitar tallied 28 goals and 74 points in 82 games last season. He was awarded the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy as the league’s most gentlemanly player. The deal keeps Kopitar in L.A. through the 2025-26 season.

The 35-year-old is entering the final season of an eight-year contract signed in Jan. 2016. His cap hit for the 2022-23 campaign is $10 million.

“We’re pleased to have reached an agreement that will keep Anze in Los Angeles as our group takes the next step in competing for a Stanley Cup,” Kings general manager Rob Blake said. “He’s the heart and soul of this team as our captain and he will continue to play a major role on our club.”

Kopitar has spent his entire 1292-game career with the Kings. He won the Stanley Cup in 2012 and 2014, and is a two-time winner of both the Selke Trophy and Lady Byng. He also won the Mark Messier Leadership Award in 2022.

“Los Angeles has become home for me and my family, and I’m excited to extend my career here,” Kopitar said. “I’ve been with this organization through it all and I know our group is close to achieving something special. I look forward to helping us reach that next level and achieving the ultimate goal of winning the Stanley Cup again.”

The Slovenian was named Los Angeles’ captain in 2016, taking the role from Dustin Brown. He has scored 393 goals and tallied 1141 points in his 17-season career.

Kopitar ranks second in franchise games played, third in points, and fourth in goals. His 12-20 goal campaigns are tied with Marcel Dionne and Luc Robitaille for the most in a Kings uniform.

Los Angeles drafted Kopitar 11th overall in 2005.

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