Kopitar visits teammates, practice rink

Anze Kopitar made an appearance at the practice rink today, and will also be at tonight’s game to participate in the postgame Fan Appreciation ceremonies. Kopitar is walking with crutches, with a massive cast on his foot and lower leg, but said he hopes to have it removed on Monday and have it replaced by a walking boot. Kopitar didn’t really have a timetable for his return to hockey-related activities, but said his injury was very similar to the one Justin Williams had last season, and Williams was off the ice for approximately two-and-a-half months. “He still has his leg attached to his body, so that’s good,” Kopitar said with a laugh, referring to Williams. Here’s what Kopitar said today about his injury and recover, starting with his short-term status…

KOPITAR: “We’ll just wait and see how everything turns out. I’m sure they’re going to be having me doing some tests, some range-of-motion tests, and see how everything goes during this time. After that, we’ll see.”

Question: When the injury happened, did you know right away that there was something seriously wrong?

KOPITAR: “I felt it pop right away on the ice. I had a big stinger down my leg and I didn’t feel anything. I think I actually tried to get up, too, and skate to the bench, but I just buckled and I knew something was wrong and I felt it pop again. I was just hoping it was going to be the bone, and not everything else. It’s a little unfortunate, but that happens sometimes.”

Question: Being around here, around the rink, does it help a little bit?

KOPITAR: “It’s so hard. I was just talking with Hexy [Ron Hextall] and all those guys. When you’re here all the time, sometimes (to have) a couple days to get away from this place, it’s nice. The first couple days, you’re like, `OK, this is not too bad right now,’ but then Day 4 you just hit a wall and it’s like, `Oh, I’m ready for the bone to heal again and get going.’ But it’s not going to be easy. … You’re sitting there on the couch watching games and you can’t do anything about it. You can’t do anything, pretty much. it’s a lot of TV, some computer, a lot of games on the computer and that’s it.”