The Los Angeles Kings and Anze Kopitar have finally finished their long-awaited contract extension, according to TSN's Bob McKenzie, they're just waiting on paperwork to be filed. Per McKenzie, the eight-year deal will carry an AAV of $10 million.
Anze Kopitar's 8-year, $80M ($10M AAV) contract with LAK is, finally, in final stages of paperwork. So not officially "done" but very close.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) January 13, 2016
Unless something out of left field occurs at last moment, Kopitar's deal is expected to be that $10M AAV for 8 years. — Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) January 13, 2016
The two sides have been talking for months and concern was growing among the media and the Kings fanbase that something must have been wrong for the deal not to have yet been agreed upon. But while recent reports suggested the Kings and Kopitar weren't close, others indicated that it was simply a matter of money and, more specifically, whether or not the Kings would touch that $10 million per season figure.
Per TSN's Darren Dreger, it may have been a Tuesday night meeting between the Kings and Kopitar's agent, Pat Brisson, that got the job done.
With Kopitar's agents apparently getting him that amount, he immediately becomes the third-highest paid player in the league based on annual salary behind only Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks ($10.5 million).
Through 42 games this season for L.A., Kopitar has 12 goals and 35 points.
