Kings, Anze Kopitar not even close to agreeing to a new contract
In this upcoming season, Anze Kopitar will enter the final year of his seven-year, $47.6 million contract he began in the 2009-10 season.
He's looking for a new one, and the Los Angeles Kings are looking to extend him. But, at the moment, the two sides are not even remotely close, according to LA Kings Insider Jon Rosen. Rosen writes:
"The Kings and Kopitar are "not even in the ballpark" in their discussions, Kings General Manager Dean Lombardi told LA Kings Insider over email when asked whether the two sides were "close" to reaching an agreement."
Kopitar is set for a gigantic contract. Excluding the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season, Kopitar has never had a season in which he finished with less than 60 points. And in the last three years, Kopitar has finished in the top five in votes for the Selke Trophy as the league's top defensive forward.
Kopitar is one of the top forwards in all of the NHL. And, recently, top forwards have received huge contracts. Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane received dueling $10.5 million per year contracts. And Jakub Voracek just signed a eight-year $66 million deal this offseason.
A deal between the two sides is very much likely, but with such a large figure, it may take a bit of time.
(h/t Pro Hockey Talk)
