***Playoffs GAME 7 LA Kings @ Edmonton Oilers GDT 5/14/22 7:00pm on BSSC & ESPN***

[AngelEyes]

Concerning Kopitar, the increased overall speed of the game has left his play wanting. As others have said, if he's to continue to make a contribution, his TOI has to decrease, probably to the 13 - 16 minute range, and that's dependent on his speed not dropping off even further. He's still able to move the puck well through the neutral zone on the rush, and he's still a physical force along the boards. But beyond that, there are problems. As to his brain freeze on the PP, I am at a loss.

 

[aragorn]

Kopi really needs to consider hanging it up, but he still plays hard and is still a top defensive forward.

Just wondering. For argument, say Kopi does hang it up this year or next. What happens to our cap hit? Do we get some penalty or is his salary gone 100%?

 

[FortyFour]

Soooo, in beating LA in the playoffs, McDavid is setting the stage for his eventual trade to LA.

 

[VCRW]

Just wondering. For argument, say Kopi does hang it up this year or next. What happens to our cap hit? Do we get some penalty or is his salary gone 100%?

Why would he quit before his contract expires? Kopitar would still be one of the top 2/3Cs in the league. There is no dishonor in evolving into a more Handzus-like role for the next 2 or 3 years, especially at $10 million/season.

 

[KGurl]

Soooo, in beating LA in the playoffs, McDavid is setting the stage for his eventual trade to LA.

Just rewatched the 30 for 30 on the Gretzky trade, and I had the same thought. ��

 

[aragorn]

Why would he quit before his contract expires? Kopitar would still be one of the top 2/3Cs in the league. There is no dishonor in evolving into a more Handzus-like role for the next 2 or 3 years, especially at $10 million/season.

It wasn't a question of why he might retire. perhaps he's gotten a few too many concussions, perhaps he blows out his knee and doesn't want rehab. I was simply asking if Kopi does hang it up this year or next, what happens to the cap hit for his remaining time?

 

[kIngsX]

Agree just responding to the call for him to retire. Just need need to find the right spot as maybe the second line center

I can see Danault supplanting Kopitar in the #1 center spot next year, with Byfield occupying the #3 slot. Then, in the last year of Kopi?s contract, he moves down into the 3rd line role while Byfield (hopefully) earns 2nd line center.

And then Kopitar bids farewell to a rather illustrious career?..

 

[DryKing]

Concerning Kopitar, the increased overall speed of the game has left his play wanting. As others have said, if he's to continue to make a contribution, his TOI has to decrease, probably to the 13 - 16 minute range, and that's dependent on his speed not dropping off even further. He's still able to move the puck well through the neutral zone on the rush, and he's still a physical force along the boards. But beyond that, there are problems. As to his brain freeze on the PP, I am at a loss.

It's less that the league has gotten faster and more that the Kings team has gotten faster that is impacting Kopitar. If you put him on a line with a burner like Kempe, then yes he looks very slow in comparison. That said, he did a great job shutting down McDavid, as best as one can, when lined up against him.

Kopitar is still a very effective 2-way center who should ideally average 18-20 minutes a game next season. Where we go wrong is when he breaks the 20 minute plateau (he averaged almost 22 in the playoffs). There is no doubt, however, that he is still our most talented forward at this point and arguably the best player on the team.

On a side note, the strategy of putting one fast skater on each line needs to come to an end. Putting Kempe with Kopitar, for instance, may lead to balance but lacks synergy and ultimately holds both players back (with the exception of special teams).