The Los Angeles Kings and No. 1 center Anze Kopitar are reportedly "very close" to coming to terms on a new eight-year contract, according to a report from John Hoven of Mayor's Manor. Per Hoven, citing multiple sources "close to the situation," Kopitar and the Kings are circling a deal that is "around" eight years and $9.75 million per season.
Kopitar, the Kings' No. 1 center, has been talking turkey on a deal with the Kings for months now. Negotiations were said to be ongoing, but that sticking points had developed over both term and value. The 2005 first-round pick is seventh on the Kings' all-time goal scoring list, just 21 shy of Wayne Gretzky's mark. Kopitar doesn't possess the skills of a player like Chicago's Jonathan Toews or Patrick Kane, players the Blackhawks recently handed matching 10-year deals that carry $10.5 million cap hits, though it was reported that Kopitar and agent Pat Brisson were looking for a contract in that range.
At this point, Kopitar and Brisson have set a hard line at the $9.75 million figure, according to Hoven. Kings GM Dean Lombardi wants the deal "in the $9-9.25M range," per the report.
TSN NHL Insider Darren Dreger offered his own take on talk that Kopitar's deal was close, early Wednesday...
No update on Kopitar contract extension. Status quo according to his agent, Pat Brisson.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) December 2, 2015
Really, it seems there's little chance for Kopitar and the Kings not to come to terms on a new deal. As Hoven notes, Kopitar would only be able to sign a seven-year contract on the open market, so in terms of security he's better off signing with the Kings. Of course, a no-trade or no-move clause could prove a sticking point as Hoven and others have suggested, but it's unlikely to be a deciding factor in a new deal for a homegrown player who, in all reality, likely has little interest in heading elsewhere.
Kopitar is an integral piece for the Kings and while he may not be a Toews or a Sidney Crosby, he paces the team offensively and, perhaps most importantly, allows No. 2 center Jeff Carter to play a highly effective game of his own.
Kopitar will sign, it's only a matter of when and for what/how long. The trick for Lombarid will be keeping his salary cap situation in line, while keeping his best talent in place.
