Kopitar inks 8 year deal

[Josh]

The real issue is if he sustains injuries that don't keep him out entirely, but drastically reduce the quality of his play. Then they're on the hook for a$10M difficult-to-trade contract in what looks like a difficult market economically (Canadian dollar and league revenue).

But I suppose you can't have your cake and eat it too. If you want big, rough and tumble C with skill, you have to pay him and you have to expect he might get injured. It could happen to Ovie too.

[Josh]

While I agree $10M is excessive, who are you going to replace Kopitar with on that team? I like Jeff Carter and co. just as much as the next guy but that's a wide stretch. Guys with Kopitar level skill don't grow on trees.

I guess so. And he has been very consistent, and is only 28, so it doesn't seem like there's much risk of a huge regression. He plays a tough game though, but then again, IR rules protect a team from cap hits.

[Matt the Aussie]

While I agree $10M is excessive, who are you going to replace Kopitar with on that team? I like Jeff Carter and co. just as much as the next guy but that's a wide stretch. Guys with Kopitar level skill don't grow on trees.

[Josh]

Although the Kings really couldn't let a guy like Kopitar walk, $10M per year with max term is definitely too much for him. These type of deals are bigger for the NHL than we even expect, though. It sets precedents; imagine when some of the top players such as Stamkos hit free agency..

It could be as soon as this year..! :laugh:

He's gonna get paaaaaaaaaaid.

[Dean Ambrose]

Although the Kings really couldn't let a guy like Kopitar walk, $10M per year with max term is definitely too much for him. These type of deals are bigger for the NHL than we even expect, though. It sets precedents; imagine when some of the top players such as Stamkos hit free agency..

read your PMs foooo

[Alfie11]

Although the Kings really couldn't let a guy like Kopitar walk, $10M per year with max term is definitely too much for him. These type of deals are bigger for the NHL than we even expect, though. It sets precedents; imagine when some of the top players such as Stamkos hit free agency..

[Dean Ambrose]

Holy shit.. $10M cap hit. The type of player Kopitar is.. this one will look bad in a few years I think.

But they'll win another cup or two before that, so... *shrug*

Let him walk and lose your number one center, and one of the best in the league, or keep him and worry about the now rather than the future cap implications?

[Josh]

Holy shit.. $10M cap hit. The type of player Kopitar is.. this one will look bad in a few years I think.

[Jasmine]

According to Dregger: Kopitar year by year: $14 mil, $13 mil, $12 mil, $11mil, $8mil, $8mil,$7mil,$7 mil. No move clause immediately and first 4 yrs.

http://www.tsn.ca/kings-confirm-eight-year-extension-for-kopitar-1.424082