Anže Kopitar - Ageless Wonder

[BKarchitect]

I keep waiting for this guy to fall off. I keep waiting for him to not be the do-everything #1-star center. Instead, it is the 24-25 season he's 37 years-old and he's single-handedly willing a pretty mediocre Kings outfit stuck between old and new generations to a competitive place yet again.

20 minutes a night. PPG+ scoring pace. Leading the team in scoring. #1 PP unit. Still killing penalties. Still great on the dot. Still does everything for this Kings team.

I'm beginning to think Kopitar might just be really good till age 40 at this point. I think he's got a real shot at cracking the top 20 all-time points list. Then you add his Cups, two-way play / Selkes, leadership, etc...what are we looking at here from a historical context if he finishes his career as strongly as it seems he might? Clearly not just a run of the mill HoFer...has to start to enter the shortlist for best European NHLers ever, no? Not saying obviously at 1 or 2...but on a very, very short list.

Not bad for a kid from the ice hockey hotbed of Jesenice, Slovenia.

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[Dueling Banjos]

I keep waiting for this guy to fall off. I keep waiting for him to not be the do-everything #1-star center. Instead, it is the 24-25 season he's 37 years-old and he's single-handedly willing a pretty mediocre Kings outfit stuck between old and new generations to a competitive place yet again.

20 minutes a night. PPG+ scoring pace. Leading the team in scoring. #1 PP unit. Still killing penalties. Still great on the dot. Still does everything for this Kings team.

I'm beginning to think Kopitar might just be really good till age 40 at this point. I think he's got a real shot at cracking the top 20 all-time points list. Then you add his Cups, two-way play / Selkes, leadership, etc...what are we looking at here from a historical context if he finishes his career as strongly as it seems he might? Clearly not just a run of the mill HoFer...has to start to enter the shortlist for best European NHLers ever, no? Not saying obviously at 1 or 2...but on a very, very short list.

Not bad for a kid from the ice hockey hotbed of Jesenice, Slovenia.

Most underrated player in the league, for a long time now

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

What a beast

 

[HockeyVirus]

I keep waiting for this guy to fall off. I keep waiting for him to not be the do-everything #1-star center. Instead, it is the 24-25 season he's 37 years-old and he's single-handedly willing a pretty mediocre Kings outfit stuck between old and new generations to a competitive place yet again.

20 minutes a night. PPG+ scoring pace. Leading the team in scoring. #1 PP unit. Still killing penalties. Still great on the dot. Still does everything for this Kings team.

I'm beginning to think Kopitar might just be really good till age 40 at this point. I think he's got a real shot at cracking the top 20 all-time points list. Then you add his Cups, two-way play / Selkes, leadership, etc...what are we looking at here from a historical context if he finishes his career as strongly as it seems he might? Clearly not just a run of the mill HoFer...has to start to enter the shortlist for best European NHLers ever, no? Not saying obviously at 1 or 2...but on a very, very short list.

Not bad for a kid from the ice hockey hotbed of Jesenice, Slovenia.

I mean this respectfully not in a bad way, I don't think anything he does from this point on changes his legacy very much unless he wins a major award / wills them to another cup. He's already done so much between the dynasty of the 2010's and his play throughout his career.

I am not sure he has anything left to prove to be a HHOFer

 

[BKarchitect]

I mean this respectfully not in a bad way, I don't think anything he does from this point on changes his legacy very much unless he wins a major award / wills them to another cup. He's already done so much between the dynasty of the 2010's and his play throughout his career.

I am not sure he has anything left to prove to be a HHOFer

I mean he was a HoFer years ago, we all agree on that.

I do think a strong finish and longevity does start to make an impact for those really interested in historical context. I think it matters, in that context, for example - if he ends up 3rd all time in scoring by a European after Jagr and Ovechkin. Which I would say he's got a chance at. When you combine that kind of statistical output with his overall legacy - I think there starts to be a discussion well beyond "he's a Hall of Famer and had a great career".

 

[Albatros]

Yeah, he's an all-time great and needs nothing more to prove it. HHoF, #11 to the rafters, none of that is in doubt.

 

[Coffey]

He's awesome cause his english is fantastic.
I look down on players who live in NA for 15 years and have shitty english!

As an immigrant, it really grinds my gears!

 

[sting101]

What a Legend

Should be top40 by end of this year and possibly top20 by the end of his career or higher

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I think it's very telling just HOW good Anze Kopitar is (and how good his offense could have been) that on a dogshit offensive team, with no powerplay to speak of, at age 37, with the biggest difference being slightly fewer defensive responsibilities and a higher-scoring era, all while CLEARLY being a shadow of his former self on the ice, he's significantly above PPG. Hopefully this makes people even fonder of his memory because he's definitely winding down like a true hall of famer. 8 points on the last 11 Kings goals is heavy duty.

 

[SEALBound]

Hell of a pick and he's been a hell of a player. Another really easy guy to root for.

He's a guy in that Kaprizov and Bergeron mold - is there honestly anyone who doesn't like this guy? I mean, sans a rival team not liking him on principle.

 

[FrozenJagrt]

The dude is the Slovenian Sundin. Just an absolute horse that keeps going, always reliable.

 

[KingPuckChoo]

100% the most underrated elite player of our generation

Proof? Ask people about Bergeron vs Kopitar, get your answers, there's your proof

 

[wintersej]

The dude is the Slovenian Sundin. Just an absolute horse that keeps going, always reliable.

Better than Sundin

 

[Ignatius]

Slovenia's National Treasure
GOAT LA King

 

[gary559]

He has had a great season so far, but can't lean on him forever, the younger forwards on the Kings are going to have to step up soon.

 

[Lazlo Hollyfeld]

Slovenia's National Treasure
GOAT LA King

Well, him and Pogacar!

Kopitar is probably my favorite non-Red Wings player. He always reminded me of Zetterberg but on 6'3" 225 lb. frame.

He is definitely an underrated player.

 

[Rodgerwilco]

Kopitar is so damn good. Definition of a guy who "plays the game the right way". Young players should watch him and model their game after him, especially centers.

He's already done so much between the dynasty of the 2010's and his play throughout his career.

Two cups isn't a dynasty... They didn't even make playoffs the year following their second cup (and haven't won a playoff series since)... Kopitar is great, he doesn't need exaggerations to make his case.

 

[Oneiro]

Amazing player, class guy.

The "right way" from day one.

 

[bossram]

100% the most underrated elite player of our generation

Proof? Ask people about Bergeron vs Kopitar, get your answers, there's your proof

Kopitar is an acceptable answer for "who is the most underrated player"?

People can stop answering like Dummies with Kyle Connor or Alex Barkov.

 

[Lazlo Hollyfeld]

Kopitar is an acceptable answer for "who is the most underrated player"?

People can stop answering like Dummies with Kyle Connor or Alex Barkov.

Agreed.

If people looked up his stats I think they'd be surprised to learn he has 425 goals and over 1,200 points.

 

[Stringer Bell]

I'm a bit surprised to see that he's only been above PPG once in his career. Very very consistent though. He's actually on pace for one of his best years right now.

 

[vancityluongo]

absolute monster, and he's a likeable dude too

the longevity is getting him close to being a top-5 player of his generation/peers when it's all said and done

 

[Russian_fanatic]

Players with size, IQ, intangibles, and skills tend to age very nicely.

Kopitar is a beauty.

 

[bossram]

Agreed.

If people looked up his stats I think they'd be surprised to learn he has 425 goals and over 1,200 points.

Automatic HHOF entry.

 

[banks]

An all-time favourite. Kings GOAT.