Kings Could Lose Kopitar After 2025-26 Season

The Los Angeles Kings may quickly be in trouble after next season as it was reported that their captain, Anze Kopitar, could be playing his final season in the NHL.

Jason Gregor revealed that "People in LA are reporting this will be Anze Kopitar's last season. He's not signing an extension."

It is very likely that the 38-year-old will retire rather than change teams. There is no reason for him to chase more Stanley Cups unless he still has that drive to win, but it would also put a bit of a stain on his career to play for another team when he doesn't have to. Ken Holland and the Kings would love to keep him around and have him sign another contract.

Kopitar is a Kings legend. He is a two-time Cup winner, two-time Selke Trophy Winner, and three-time Lady Byng Trophy winner as well as a Mark Messier Leadership Award winner. He has received votes for the Selke in 14 of the past 15 seasons, finishing top-10 12 of those times.

Kopitar has hardly missed a game in his career and is still near the top of his game, finishing the 2024-25 season with 21 goals and 67 points in 81 games. Over 19 seasons in the NHL, he has recorded 440 goals and 1278 points in 1454 games. The veteran has also appeared in the playoffs 10 times and recorded 27 goals and 89 points in 103 games. He is elite in the faceoff circle and every team would still take him on their team.

Kopitar is going into the second and final year of a two-year deal he signed with the Kings that has a $7 million AAV. LA has the funds to give him more than enough money again to continue playing, but that might not be what it's about anymore for Kopitar. He has had an incredible career and it would be devastating for the Kings to lose him after the season.