From the outside looking in — or at least looking at the numbers — January had to be one of the most frustrating months in recent memory for Kings captain Anze Kopitar. It seemed to be the perfect storm of him not scoring and the team not winning games. However, for a guy who has played in nearly 1,500 NHL games, the 37-year-old forward always finds a way to put things into proper perspective.
“Obviously, we had a rough road trip,” began the 19-year-veteran, as he looked back on the importance of getting a victory last Saturday in Carolina and turning the page to what’s ahead this week. “Maybe not necessarily playing-wise or style-wise, though, because I thought our ‘team game’ was pretty well. We were in games, for the most part – getting scored on in an empty net, or later, when we were pressing and everything. We had goals disallowed or taken back. That happens; it’s just a little bit on the rare side of things when you have it happen three games in a row. So, to come out with a win on that road trip was big and good for the brain too, for the group.”
That last comment led to an organic discussion about the room itself. Again, from the outside looking in, much has been made about this year’s Kings squad being a tighter-knit group. Is that actually true? Is that how Kopitar would characterize things?
“I think the group has been tight the last couple years, for sure,” Kopitar said, as he almost was speaking while still pondering the question and reflecting back at the same time. “It is a little bit easier when things are going well to see the camaraderie and everything. But I think, for the most part — and I’m talking the last three or four years — I think the group has been good. We’ve been growing together. The young guys are still young, but not teenagers anymore. So, everybody is evolving and getting to know every part of the family now, too, with the dad’s trip, and the wives, and the kids, and the births. All of that stuff, you know? Maybe in that regard, maybe we’re a little bit tighter. Other than that, the group was pretty tight.”
This season began with a larger volume of significant change than LA has experienced in quite some time. There was more than 30% roster turnover during the summer. Sitting here now, halfway through the 2024-25 season, what has it been like integrating so many new guys into the team?
“Before, when I was talking about not having teenagers anymore,” began Kopitar, as he quickly homed in on one of the key differences to this year’s roster composition. “We added guys that have been in the Stanley Cup Final, guys who won the Cup. I think it’s easier for them to get them into the room and make an impact, versus a guy that has just been drafted or who has never been in an NHL locker room. In that regard, I think it’s a little bit easier for both parties, us being here already and for the new guy coming in. Take Darcy [Kuemper], he’s on the older side of things now. Eddie’s been around for a little bit, Gino’s been around the block. I guess bringing in older guys makes it easier for everybody.”
Those comments instantly brought up two points. First, the importance of veterans mentoring the younger players — including letting them live in their homes until they get their feet under themselves. And so many of the Kings players commenting how seamlessly Phil Danault fit into the group just days after he joined the club for his first training camp.
“Yeah, you don’t have to babysit guys like that,” he noted. “I don’t mean that as a harsh word either. When a young guy comes in, you need to make sure that he’s set with everything and knows everything, versus a guy who has been around the league for about 10 years. That’s more like, ‘Are you cool?’ and [then he says] ‘Cool,’ we’re done. Often, they have family, they have their own routines, they have everything, and they know how things work. So, yeah, it’s easier. And for myself, being 37, it’s probably easier to connect with somebody like that.”
Truth be told, the last part of that quote includes some context that is often lost between the audio from a conversation compared to written words. In that moment, Kopitar was actually reverting to his humble routine of almost self-deprecating commentary, pointing out his age. It’s a point he leans into freely in those rare moments when he is able to let his guard down and speak openly, especially with somebody who has covered him extensively throughout his career. Letting a prospect like Jaret Anderson-Dolan live with him back in 2019 also helps illustrate the difference between mentoring younger teammates and adding Warren Foegele to the Kings lineup this season.
Like most things with Kopitar, though, the conversation eventually found its way back to family.
After three home games this week, the league will shut down for two weeks. Even though Slovenia won’t be part of the fun, does he have a vested interest in the 4 Nations tournament?
‘I do, because I’m gonna have a really nice rest; so, yes, I do care,” he said, followed by his trademark short chuckle and large smile. “”Will I sit down and watch? Probably not, but we’ll have it on somewhere in the background. Usually, Jakob dictates whether we’re going to watch hockey or not on my off days or a non-game day. However, this one might be pretty cool, you know? He’ll know Juice, and hopefully Drew is playing too, so we’ll see if he wants to tune in or not.”
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