Kopitar; For or Against a trade if it comes to it?

[Raccoon Jesus]

Henrik Sedin, Daniel Sedin, Pavel Datsyuk, and Henrik Zetterberg's best offensive years were all at the age of 30 and 31

Sedins were on a 5-year, 6.1 million deal at the time. I don't know where that stood in terms of overall league salary, %, or adjustment for inflation, but they signed 5-year deals that took them through their primes when there was an argument they were top-5 players in the game. They then signed 4 year, 7 million dollar extensions that will take them through '18 when they will be 36. I don't think many who will argue that their best years aren't behind them all-around.

Pavel Datsyuk was on a 7-year, 6.7 million deal at the time. From age 29-35. Maybe a good comparable for Kopitar (adjusted for inflation of course) but dude can't stay healthy. He's now on a 3 year 7.5 million deal that takes him to age 38 in 2017.

Zetterberg is on a previous-CBA cheater contract for 12 years and 6.083 million till he's 40 so that won't work for a contract comparable.

Do with all that info what you wish, but as has been detailed, very few of these guys mentioned in this thread were on long-term contracts that took them past their prime. Many took smaller deals to get there and through it. Different market, and different prices for sure so hard to connect the dots.

 

[Reclamation Project]

When it's all said and done, their core can get one of these -

 

[King'sPawn]

Sedins were on a 5-year, 6.1 million deal at the time. I don't know where that stood in terms of overall league salary, %, or adjustment for inflation, but they signed 5-year deals that took them through their primes when there was an argument they were top-5 players in the game. They then signed 4 year, 7 million dollar extensions that will take them through '18 when they will be 36. I don't think many who will argue that their best years aren't behind them all-around.

Pavel Datsyuk was on a 7-year, 6.7 million deal at the time. From age 29-35. Maybe a good comparable for Kopitar (adjusted for inflation of course) but dude can't stay healthy. He's now on a 3 year 7.5 million deal that takes him to age 38 in 2017.

Zetterberg is on a previous-CBA cheater contract for 12 years and 6.083 million till he's 40 so that won't work for a contract comparable.

Do with all that info what you wish, but as has been detailed, very few of these guys mentioned in this thread were on long-term contracts that took them past their prime. Many took smaller deals to get there and through it. Different market, and different prices for sure so hard to connect the dots.

The circumstances for all these players are different. The question was how many players have their best years after the age of 30. It is rare, but it's not unheard of.

The point is nobody knows for certain that Kopitar's best years are behind him.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

The circumstances for all these players are different. The question was how many players have their best years after the age of 30. It is rare, but it's not unheard of.

The point is nobody knows for certain that Kopitar's best years are behind him.

Totally concur.

And I actually think Kopitar is going to be an absolute animal for at least the next few years, I think the next two will be his production peak. Just saying the argument was originally in relation to contracts, and there are precious few players who are sustaining production until their mid-30s.

 

[damacles1156]

Kopitar will probably keep about 90% of his production for the next three seasons. After that though, it's a toss up with bad odds. Which is why a Five year deal would be awesome for the Kings.

Alas, Kopitar would not sign it.

 

[Bandit]

If Kopitar isn't a King next season I will take a week off work to lay in bed and cry like a *****.

 

[Chain]

How's option 2 winning??? So, if Kopi wants 15M x 8, DL should sign him for that amount/term??

Yeesh!!!

It's one thing to like/love a player, but let's think with our heads, and not with our hearts, shall we???

Yup.

Kopitar is my favorite King but he didn't look that great last season and there's no telling how he'll look in the future. A little more than Getzlaf is fine but if he's asking for Toews money, it wouldn't be wise to pay him that. I love Kopitar, but he's not as good as Toews. He's also a bit older. He's 2 seasons away from 30.

I HOPE the layoff did him some good, he trained his ass off (not known for being the best offseason worker), comes in looking to shoot more than he did last season and ends up having a stellar year. But realistically even if he has a great year he's not going to be worth $10 million+ for 8 years. I can see why someone would want to do that to keep him though if they think we should go all in to try and win another cup at the expense of being mediocre down the road.

 

[Rusty Batch]

Yup.

Kopitar is my favorite King but he didn't look that great last season and there's no telling how he'll look in the future. A little more than Getzlaf is fine but if he's asking for Toews money, it wouldn't be wise to pay him that. I love Kopitar, but he's not as good as Toews. He's also a bit older. He's 2 seasons away from 30.

I HOPE the layoff did him some good, he trained his ass off (not known for being the best offseason worker), comes in looking to shoot more than he did last season and ends up having a stellar year. But realistically even if he has a great year he's not going to be worth $10 million+ for 8 years. I can see why someone would want to do that to keep him though if they think we should go all in to try and win another cup at the expense of being mediocre down the road.

I don't think there is one thing toews does better then kopitar

 

[Bandit]

I don't think there is one thing toews does better then kopitar

Toews does being Canadian better than Kopitar.

 

[HYORI 1963]

I don't think there is one thing toews does better then kopitar

Skates faster. Better fighter.

 

[HYORI 1963]

Yup.

Kopitar is my favorite King but he didn't look that great last season and there's no telling how he'll look in the future. A little more than Getzlaf is fine but if he's asking for Toews money, it wouldn't be wise to pay him that. I love Kopitar, but he's not as good as Toews. He's also a bit older. He's 2 seasons away from 30.

I HOPE the layoff did him some good, he trained his ass off (not known for being the best offseason worker), comes in looking to shoot more than he did last season and ends up having a stellar year. But realistically even if he has a great year he's not going to be worth $10 million+ for 8 years. I can see why someone would want to do that to keep him though if they think we should go all in to try and win another cup at the expense of being mediocre down the road.

Yeah, I'm with you on paying him something between Getz and Toews respective salaries. However, I have a feeling that it's the max term, that may be the sticking point. It's a tough call, but I'd give it.

 

[kingsfan]

I don't think there is one thing toews does better then kopitar

Wear a C

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Not lead his team in scoring by a significant margin for the better part of a decade.

 

[Reclamation Project]

Everyone knows an A is better than a C.

 

[Little Psycho]

Skates faster. Better fighter.

Neither of them can fight.

 

[Reclamation Project]

Only fight I can remember is when that ********* Burrows challenged him.

 

[Bandit]

The last thing you ever want is your number 1 center fighting. Best case he's off the ice for 5 minutes. Worst case he breaks a hand or gets a concussion.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

75 million dollar give or take 3-5 million, max length, is my final guess.

Dean knows he can't lose Kopitar. Kopitar knows Dean can't lose Kopitar. Brisson knows Dean can't lose Kopitar. Dean can posture all he wants, but the final deal will be closer to Kopitar's demands than something cap friendly.

Kopitar's a good guy, so I really don't think he holds out or anything like that, but yeah. He'll get his money.

There are a lot of teams that would sign Kopitar to a Toews deal if he hits free agency. He would be the biggest UFA since the lockout, two time Cup champ, number one center, under 30 years of age, Selke finalist, perennial 70 point seasons... I mean, the check writes itself if he becomes a UFA.

 

[KingsHockey24]

Neither of them can fight.

I'm pretty sure Crawford had to save Toews from Clifford a few years back.

 

[Ollie Weeks]

75 million dollar give or take 3-5 million, max length, is my final guess.

Dean knows he can't lose Kopitar. Kopitar knows Dean can't lose Kopitar. Brisson knows Dean can't lose Kopitar. Dean can posture all he wants, but the final deal will be closer to Kopitar's demands than something cap friendly.

Kopitar's a good guy, so I really don't think he holds out or anything like that, but yeah. He'll get his money.

There are a lot of teams that would sign Kopitar to a Toews deal if he hits free agency. He would be the biggest UFA since the lockout, two time Cup champ, number one center, under 30 years of age, Selke finalist, perennial 70 point seasons... I mean, the check writes itself if he becomes a UFA.

Agreed. Other than what it means for the team moving forward, I don't think there's any way Lombardi will let himself become the guy who lets just about the biggest name in almost a decade walk.

 

[Trolfoli]

I wonder if Kopitar will ask for an ROR type buyout proof deal.

 

[kingsfan]

75 million dollar give or take 3-5 million, max length, is my final guess.

Dean knows he can't lose Kopitar. Kopitar knows Dean can't lose Kopitar. Brisson knows Dean can't lose Kopitar. Dean can posture all he wants, but the final deal will be closer to Kopitar's demands than something cap friendly.

Kopitar's a good guy, so I really don't think he holds out or anything like that, but yeah. He'll get his money.

There are a lot of teams that would sign Kopitar to a Toews deal if he hits free agency. He would be the biggest UFA since the lockout, two time Cup champ, number one center, under 30 years of age, Selke finalist, perennial 70 point seasons... I mean, the check writes itself if he becomes a UFA.

100% this.

All those stating DL should give 5 years and anything more is silly need to remember that if Kopitar goes so does the Kings cup hopes. Sure, we could promote Carter but who replaces Carter? Lewis? Nick Shore? We don't win the cup without Kopitar and if he demands an extension beyond five years or he's going to test UFA then DL had better give it to him, whether its foolish or not, or else he better start looking at a retooling/rebuilding effort.

I wonder if Kopitar will ask for an ROR type buyout proof deal.

He can but DL isn't an idiot like Tim Murray. Murray's in way over his head in Buffalo.

 

[KINGS17]

100% this.

All those stating DL should give 5 years and anything more is silly need to remember that if Kopitar goes so does the Kings cup hopes. Sure, we could promote Carter but who replaces Carter? Lewis? Nick Shore? We don't win the cup without Kopitar and if he demands an extension beyond five years or he's going to test UFA then DL had better give it to him, whether its foolish or not, or else he better start looking at a retooling/rebuilding effort.

You act like the Kings wouldn't get any good players back in a trade. Dean isn't going to let Kopitar just walk.

An 8-year deal worth $72M+ is ridiculous, and GMs are starting to realize that these retirement contracts can't be handed out like candy if the cap is going to be stagnant. We already have one, possilby two untradeable contracts in Brown and Richards, sure lets add another one in 3 or 4 years.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

You think Kopitar is going to be another Brown or Richards in 3-4 years? I don't see that happening.

 

[KINGS17]

You think Kopitar is going to be another Brown or Richards in 3-4 years? I don't see that happening.

He doesn't have to get that bad in order for an 8-year, $80M deal to bone the Kings. If he starts putting up 50-60 point seasons, with just 15-20 goals a season, the Kings are just as screwed as they are with Brown's contract.