Anze Kopitar (MOD WARNING Post #52)

[YP44]

some people saying trade him (i didn't read page 3 on this thread)!!!

no friggin way do you trade kopi. You sign him for 8 years at 10Mil/year. He is having a slow year, but I am not worried at all.

 

[TopT]

Sorry, but no. I wouldn't give Kopitar as much as he wants unless it is a reasonable number. $10M a season for Kopitar would not be a reasonable number.

He deserves as much as Toews. They are clone players

 

[KINGS17]

I don't think anyone needs to worry about the Kings losing, or not paying Kopitar. You're not going to find another Kopitar, at least not quickly, so he's going to get whatever money he wants. They've signed everyone else. They're not going to just stop at him for some reason.

I'm not worried about losing Kopitar. I also think he will sign a reasonable contract. There is no reason for him to insist on $9M+ a season.

He deserves as much as Toews. They are clone players

Toews didn't deserve what Toews got, and I see no reason for Lombardi to act stupidly just because Bowman acted stupidly. Also, remember that the time the Toews and Kane deals were signed people thought the cap would increase dramatically. Now that the Canadian dollar has pulled back and will likely stay down against the U.S. dollar for some time there is no reason to believe that the cap will increase at the rate that it has in the past.

Anxiously awaiting the time when Kopitar and Toews can be mentioned in the same company, because right now Anze can't carry Toew's jock strap, and Toews has played every bit as much hockey as Kopitar has over the last 3 or 4 years.

 

[theMajor]

Kopitar better retire a King.

he will. Dean has proved himself time and time again that he knows how to keep the players that matter, and Kopi is arguably one of the most important players on the team alongside Quick and DD

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Toews didn't deserve what Toews got, and I see no reason for Lombardi to act stupidly just because Bowman acted stupidly. Also, remember that the time the Toews and Kane deals were signed people thought the cap would increase dramatically. Now that the Canadian dollar has pulled back and will likely stay down against the U.S. dollar for some time there is no reason to believe that the cap will increase at the rate that it has in the past.

Anxiously awaiting the time when Kopitar and Toews can be mentioned in the same company, because right now Anze can't carry Toew's jock strap, and Toews has played every bit as much hockey as Kopitar has over the last 3 or 4 years.

People are saying this in lots of places. Curious to know why this is your take.

I was going to agree on the first part, though. That is a hefty price to pay.

 

[The Night King]

I'm not worried about losing Kopitar. I also think he will sign a reasonable contract. There is no reason for him to insist on $9M+ a season.



Toews didn't deserve what Toews got, and I see no reason for Lombardi to act stupidly just because Bowman acted stupidly. Also, remember that the time the Toews and Kane deals were signed people thought the cap would increase dramatically. Now that the Canadian dollar has pulled back and will likely stay down against the U.S. dollar for some time there is no reason to believe that the cap will increase at the rate that it has in the past.

Anxiously awaiting the time when Kopitar and Toews can be mentioned in the same company, because right now Anze can't carry Toew's jock strap, and Toews has played every bit as much hockey as Kopitar has over the last 3 or 4 years.

Everyone has to pay the price for Bowman's stupidity now. Kopitar will get something close to T&K money.

 

[Papa Mocha 15]

Everyone has to pay the price for Bowman's stupidity now. Kopitar will get something close to T&K money.

Everyone's got a price....

Okay so they all have two cups..... I thought that JT was overpaid but to be honest...someone else would have paid him that kind of dough. It's about what the market will pay. Kopi is gonna be in a good spot when his contract is up...

 

[TopT]

I'm not worried about losing Kopitar. I also think he will sign a reasonable contract. There is no reason for him to insist on $9M+ a season.



Toews didn't deserve what Toews got, and I see no reason for Lombardi to act stupidly just because Bowman acted stupidly. Also, remember that the time the Toews and Kane deals were signed people thought the cap would increase dramatically. Now that the Canadian dollar has pulled back and will likely stay down against the U.S. dollar for some time there is no reason to believe that the cap will increase at the rate that it has in the past.

Anxiously awaiting the time when Kopitar and Toews can be mentioned in the same company, because right now Anze can't carry Toew's jock strap, and Toews has played every bit as much hockey as Kopitar has over the last 3 or 4 years.

Wau, and you base youre conclusion on what ? I mean I am kind od shocked by this statement even Hawks fans agree they are clones, not to mention the whole HF boards main page.

 

[KingsFan7824]

I'm not worried about losing Kopitar. I also think he will sign a reasonable contract. There is no reason for him to insist on $9M+ a season.

He's got the added leverage of being a UFA. It's also not your potential $9+ million to not insist on, so, it's tough to say there's no reason for him to ask for that. He may not, but he'll also never be in a position to maybe get that kind of contract again. Just have to wait and see.

 

[KINGS17]

People are saying this in lots of places. Curious to know why this is your take.

I was going to agree on the first part, though. That is a hefty price to pay.

I have watched a fair number of Hawk games this season and to me Toews is a guy that is just more willing to engage than Kopitar seems to be at this point in time.

I think from the standpoint of physical tools, talent, instinct for the game that Kopitar is Toews equal, but he just doesn't seem to have the energy or the will to get it done. I am, as we all are, hoping that will change.

We discussed recently the number of shots on goal Kopitar has so far this season. That is a telling stat for him. Now the last game he supposedly had 5 or 6 shots, but I'll be damned if I can remember any of them that was a legit scoring chance. The only one that sticks out in my mind is the wrist shot Kopitar took from way out at the top of the slot that Mason should have handled easily, but let go for a rebound.

Dean could be in a tough spot on this negotiation if Kopitar doesn't turn it around this year. Obviously, he is the Kings' #1 center, and just as obviously he isn't performing like one.

He's got the added leverage of being a UFA. It's also not your potential $9+ million to not insist on, so, it's tough to say there's no reason for him to ask for that. He may not, but he'll also never be in a position to maybe get that kind of contract again. Just have to wait and see.

This is why is say Dean could be in a tough spot. Obviously, Kopitar will have leverage and his agent will come in saying my guy is the #1 center on your team and you have won 2 (hopefully 3 cups) over the last 4 seasons. What's Dean supposed to say? Well gee, I would love to give Kopitar $9M a season for the next 7 years, but the guy scored 53 points last season. I'm wondering how Dean is going to square that kind of deal in his own mind if that scenario becomes a reality.

 

[KINGS17]

Wau, and you base youre conclusion on what ? I mean I am kind od shocked by this statement even Hawks fans agree they are clones, not to mention the whole HF boards main page.

There isn't anyone in Chicago that would trade Toews straight up for Kopitar. I doubt right now that there is any GM in the NHL that would give you Toews for Kopitar and a solid prospect.

 

[taz346]

imo, Kopi is just stuck in...assist mode. He needs to get back to shooting for the net himself, rather than passing to someone else.

 

[damacles1156]

imo, Kopi is just stuck in...assist mode. He needs to get back to shooting for the net himself, rather than passing to someone else.

Which I find comical with Kopitar. Does he not realize that if he shot more, and was consistent 30 or 35 goal scorer. He would actually open up ice for teammates and pile up more assists like Crosby/Malkin\Getzlaf do.

Right now every defender in the league knows Kopitar wants to get rid of that puck the moment he gets it.

 

[Captain Mittens*]

Which I find comical with Kopitar. Does he not realize that if he shot more, and was consistent 30 or 35 goal scorer. He would actually open up ice for teammates and pile up more assists like Crosby/Malkin\Getzlaf do.

Right now every defender in the league knows Kopitar wants to get rid of that puck the moment he gets it.

We need to have him watch that episode of Seinfeld where George did the opposite of everything he would normally do

 

[Herby]

I love how people blame GM's like Bowman for re-signing someone like Toews, I mean do people honestly think Toews and Kane would have gotten less on the open market? Same goes with Kopitar, come on, give your head a shake. Bowman was smart with those extensions and Dean will be smart when he re-signs Kopi to a similar deal.

And as far as Carter goes, Carter needs to go back to center and stay there.

 

[KINGS17]

I love how people blame GM's like Bowman for re-signing someone like Toews, I mean do people honestly think Toews and Kane would have gotten less on the open market? Same goes with Kopitar, come on, give your head a shake. Bowman was smart with those extensions and Dean will be smart when he re-signs Kopi to a similar deal.

And as far as Carter goes, Carter needs to go back to center and stay there.

Meh, I disagree. The contracts Bowman gave to Toews and Kane will have a major impact on the Chicago roster next season. Hawk fans know it already.

Bowman wasn't smart for paying the rate you would on the open market, he simply gave Toews and Kane what they wanted.

You want to give Kopitar a 7-8 year deal for $65M - $80M if he puts up around 55 points this season? You have a lot more faith than I do in players.

 

[Herby]

Meh, I disagree. The contracts Bowman gave to Toews and Kane will have a major impact on the Chicago roster next season. Hawk fans know it already.

Bowman wasn't smart for paying the rate you would on the open market, he simply gave Toews and Kane what they wanted.

You want to give Kopitar a 7-8 year deal for $65M - $80M if he puts up around 55 points this season? You have a lot more faith than I do in players.

You know what would have had a major impact on their roster, losing one of Toews or Kane.

We don't know what Kopitar's contract demands are going to be, but if he wants market value and the Kings don't give it to him someone else will, and if that happens we can kiss contending for the cup goodbye until we get a player as good as Kopi.

Are you prepared to have our centers be Carter and Richards? It would be just like before we overhauled the roster, an offensive blackhole at 2C only this time the 1C isn't as good a player.

 

[KINGS17]

You know what would have had a major impact on their roster, losing one of Toews or Kane.

We don't know what Kopitar's contract demands are going to be, but if he wants market value and the Kings don't give it to him someone else will, and if that happens we can kiss contending for the cup goodbye until we get a player as good as Kopi.

Are you prepared to have our centers be Carter and Richards? It would be just like before we overhauled the roster, an offensive blackhole at 2C only this time the 1C isn't as good a player.

They could get by without Kane if they had to go on without him, especially with the added depth his cap space would provide. Next season we will see what it's like for Chicago. They will likely part with Sharp, and maybe another very good player.

Well, the question is, what will be market value on Kopitar? You know that I think the Kings' strength down the middle is their best asset. That includes Quick BTW.

I am simply pointing out that if Kopitar doesn't start producing, and he is further off a reasonable pace than he ever has been in the past, that it may be tough to find a starting point in the negotiations.

 

[Herby]

Chicago is not a SC contender without Kane. He is their best offensive player and comes up huge in big games. And at 26 he would have been a massive draw in UFA. When you are a multiple cup winner with aspirations to win more you don't let players like Kopitar, Toews and Kane leave over money.

And again, you want to talk about the Kings strength down the middle, well it's gone if Kopitar leaves. Carter is a great player, but he is not a 1C on a contending team and Richards and Stoll are trending more and more downward with each passing week.

 

[Reclamation Project]

Kings might as well rebuild if Kopitar leaves.

 

[KINGS17]

Again, did I say anything about Kopitar leaving?

I simply said if he gets in the neighborhood of 55 points this season, where do the negotiations start. I doubt that they start for Dean at $10M, or even $9M.

Chicago would be a different team without Kane, but if him leaving allowed them to net a real #2 center as a UFA and build more depth on the wing, they would still be a force.

 

[damacles1156]

Money/Cap space is not the issue with Kopitar, and never will be. The Kings can afford to pay him 10 or 11 million dollars a season.

That's not an issue.

The issue is the annual one, sometimes two month long slump Kopitar goes into.

I can understand a player like Brown going into his slumps, he is a limited player skill wise. Brown has to work really hard for his production.

Kopitar is the size of a friggin HOUSE, and has plenty of skill/Hockey IQ.
He should not be having these slumps in his prime.

He will have to yet again, get white hot (ridiculous hot), too simply make 70 points his career average.

It's looking more like he scores 65 this season, maybe even around 60. That sucks folks. It's terrible for someone like Kopitar receiving the amount of PP, and ice time he does.

 

[NikF]

Toews is very slightly but clearly better. I think there are aspects of the game where Kopitar can be and is superior, but overall when it gets to who gets the job done Toews is just slightly better. Like KINGS17 said, Toews engages more consistently and has a more aggressive predisposition than Kopitar does. Has outplayed him in both series. Kopi is right there an elite two-way C, but the distinction is clear between the two, one imposes his will on the game more consistently, and the lack of that has been the book on Kopitar his entire career and will likely remain his flaw to the end of the career. That doesn't mean he isn't an excellent player, players have flaws and it just so happens that's Kopitar's.

 

[KINGS17]

Money/Cap space is not the issue with Kopitar, and never will be. The Kings can afford to pay him 10 or 11 million dollars a season.

That's not an issue.

The issue is the annual one, sometimes two month long slump Kopitar goes into.

I can understand a player like Brown going into his slumps, he is a limited player skill wise. Brown has to work really hard for his production.

Kopitar is the size of a friggin HOUSE, and has plenty of skill/Hockey IQ.
He should not be having these slumps in his prime.

He will have to yet again, get white hot (ridiculous hot), too simply make 70 points his career average.

It's looking more like he scores 65 this season, maybe even around 60. That sucks folks. It's terrible for someone like Kopitar receiving the amount of PP, and ice time he does.

Yup, the Kings have 55 games remaining in the regular season, and Kopitar has, count'em folks, 12 points. He'll be lucky to crack 60 points this season.

Over the course of his career Kopitar has averaged close to 3 shots per game. This season he is averaging around 1.7 shots per game. Something is wrong. This guy is 27 years old and should be a dominant force most nights.

 

[King'sPawn]

I have watched a fair number of Hawk games this season and to me Toews is a guy that is just more willing to engage than Kopitar seems to be at this point in time.

I think from the standpoint of physical tools, talent, instinct for the game that Kopitar is Toews equal, but he just doesn't seem to have the energy or the will to get it done. I am, as we all are, hoping that will change.

Kopitar has a different approach than Toews. People mistake Toews for having more energy, but Toews just plays the game a bit differently. He's more willing to try and create space for himself and force the play. He takes more risks.

Kopitar just plays a very conservative game, to the point where he is too conservative. We saw in the last game what happens when Kopitar forces the play towards the end of the game, and the Kings were trailing towards the end of the third. What's amusing is everyone then jumps on Kopitar for losing the puck.

Kopitar has always been a safer, more cerebral player for as long as he played for a defensive coach on the Kings.

Which I find comical with Kopitar. Does he not realize that if he shot more, and was consistent 30 or 35 goal scorer. He would actually open up ice for teammates and pile up more assists like Crosby/Malkin\Getzlaf do.

I'm amused you add Getzlaf to that, because if you ask the hardcore Ducks fans, they'll say that Getzlaf needs to shoot more.

They could get by without Kane if they had to go on without him, especially with the added depth his cap space would provide. Next season we will see what it's like for Chicago. They will likely part with Sharp, and maybe another very good player.

The added cap space of not re-signing Kane? Okay, let's say the Blackhawks let Kane walk after this season. Which free agents next season do they sign to make up for the loss of Kane?

Don't get me wrong, it amuses me to see the Blackhawks spend so much on two players, but you make it sound like just letting Kane walk for nothing is a viable alternative.