Major Oilers rival entering final year of his legendary career

Following 19 years of continuous play with the Kings, it appears that the two-time Stanley Cup Champion may be entering his farewell tour during the upcoming campaign.

Most NHL players reach a peak and then slow down. In the case of 38-year old Kopitar, he seems to have gotten better, or at the very least, remained consistent over almost 20 years with the same club, maintaining above average point production.

In 2024-25, he scored 21 goals and 46 assists in 81 games played, skating for an average of 18:57 per game.

The beloved veteran has won 2 Stanley Cups, 2 Frank J Selke Trophies, 3 Lady Byng Memorial Trophies and a Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award.

Anze is the first player from Slovakia to reach the NHL. The two-way defensive-forward led the NHL in the 2012 playoffs with 8G and 12A, and the 2014 playoffs in points (26) and assists (21).

Kopitar has led the Kings in scoring for 9 straight campaigns, breaking Marcel Dionne's previous record of 8, and passed Dustin Brown as LA's leader in games played, at 1297. He is also the 4th Kings' player in franchise history to record 400 goals.

Over his career, in which Anze has played 1454 games, he's scored 440 goals and 838 assists, for 1278 points, a testament of his consistency and his relentless dedication to his craft.

Kopitar is entering the last season of his two-year, $7 million contract. Kings GM Ken Holland acknowledged the veteran's desire to «take it a year at a time,» but these latest reports suggest the decision may already be made.