LA Kings Sign Captain Anze Kopitar To Two-Year Contract Extension

The LA Kings have signed captain Anze Kopitar to a two-year contract extension worth an annual average value (AAV) of $7,000,000 through 2025-26.

"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," said Rob Blake, vice president and general manager of the LA Kings. "He is the heart and soul of this team as our captain and he will continue to play a major role on our club."

"Los Angeles has become home for me and my family, and I'm excited to extend my career here," said Kopitar. "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."

Kopitar, 35, recently completed his 17th NHL season - all with the Kings - as the team's leading scorer (74 points (28-46=74)) for a franchise-record 15th season (fifth consecutive) to join Gordie Howe (17x) as the only two players in NHL history to lead the same franchise in points at least 15 times. Overall, Kopitar led all Kings forwards in time-on-ice per game (TOI; 20:18), power-play ice time per game (3:01), short-handed ice time per game (1:52) and faceoff win percentage (55.9%); ranked second in goals (28), assists (46) and plus/minus (+20) and established a new career-low in penalty minutes (PIMs) with four, the fewest of any player in the NHL to play 82 games last season, to earn his second career Lady Byng Trophy (2016).

Selected by the Kings 11th overall in the 2005 NHL Draft, the 6-3, 225-pound forward has accrued 1,141 points (393-749=1,141) in 1,292 regular-season games since making his NHL debut in 2006-07. Among Kings all-time leaders, Kopitar ranks second in games played, assists and game-winning goals (65); third in points; fourth in goals, even-strength goals (269), and power-play goals (111); and fifth in shorthanded goals (13). Kopitar's 12 20-goal seasons are also tied for the most in franchise history (Marcel Dionne and Luc Robitaille) while his 139 multi-assist games and 283 multi-point games rank third and fourth in club history, respectively.

An integral part of the Kings Stanley Cup championships in 2012 and 2014, Kopitar has produced 77 points (24-53=77) in 92 playoff games and twice finished tied for the NHL playoff point-scoring lead (2012 and 2014). Among Kings postseason leaders, Kopitar ranks second in assists and games played; third in points, even-strength points (48) and plus/minus rating (plus-15); fourth in power-play points (26) and assists (20); and fifth in goals.

Kopitar has been recognized for numerous accolades throughout his career, including the Frank J. Selke Trophy (2016, 2018), Lady Byng Memorial Trophy (2016, 2023), Mark Messier Leadership Award (2022) and five NHL All-Star Games (2008, 2011, 2015, 2018, 2020). Kopitar is one of two players in league history to win both the Lady Byng and Selke Trophy multiple times (Pavel Datsyuk (4 Lady Byng, 3 Selke)) and joins Wayne Gretzky (3x; 1991, '92, '94) as the only players in Kings franchise history to receive Lady Byng honors more than once. The Kings captain is also just the third player in NHL history born outside North America to be recognized with the Lady Byng Trophy on multiple occasions (Datsyuk (Sverdlovsk, Russia; 4x) and Stan Mikita (Sokolce, Czechoslovakia; 2x)).

The Jesenice, Slovenia native has championed Slovenian hockey into the international eye, representing his home country on various international competitions, including, six IIHF Men's World Championships (2005, 2006, 2007 (Division 1), 2008, 2015, 2019 (Division 1A - captain)), three IIHF World Junior Championships (2004 (Division 1), 2005 (Division 1), 2006 (Division 1)) and three IIHF Under-18 Men's World Championships (2003 (Division 1), 2004 (Division 1), 2005 (Division 1)). Kopitar also captained Team Europe to the championship game against Canada at the 2017 World Cup of Hockey. In 64 international appearances with Slovenia, Kopitar has posted 82 points (41-41=82) with 34 PIM and a plus-nine rating.