Los Angeles Kings fans are still holding their breath as talks continue between the organization and Anze Kopitar. In mid-December, the negotiations were thought to be all but finalized, but that is not the case, according to Darren Dreger of TSN's "Insider Trading".
"Yes, there are components to this extension that have been agreed to, but there are also a number of pieces that they haven't signed off on - to the point, I'm told now, that it's almost at an impasse," Dreger said on Tuesday. "There's a lot of work that needs to be done between Dean Lombardi and the agent, Pat Brisson."
Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos also claims that negotiations are "at an impasse".
Many thinking money/ term agreement has @LAKings Kopitar ext' imminent, no deal is in place as of now and told remaining talks at an impasse
— Nick Kypreos (@RealKyper) January 12, 2016
The negotiations had previously been for an eight-year extension, the maximum allowed under the collective bargaining agreement, at $9.75 million per year, according to Kings insider John Hoven. This would place the 28-year-old just behind Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane's $10.5 million per year.
"I'd definitely like to stay here," Kopitar told The Jeff Blair Show. "Hopefully everything gets resolved here, sooner rather than later. I guess at the end of the day, we'll see what happens, but I'd definitely like to stay in L.A."
Kopitar does not seem distracted by the negotiation process, as he is coming off a season-high four points, with a goal and three assists, in his game against the Detroit Red Wings on Monday.
