There are still questions about Anze Kopitar. A month ago, the questions were, “Is Kopitar ready to play? Is he 100 percent?’’ Now, the questions are, “How many points can Kopitar put up? Will he be recognized as an elite NHL center this season?’’ If the first two games of the season are any indication — and yes, it’s still terribly early — the answers, respectively, would seem to be, “Yes, yes, a lot and yes.’’
Kopitar was downright dominant for long stretches of the Kings’ season-opening victory over the New York Rangers, with a goal and an assist, and in Saturday’s loss to Buffalo, he scored the Kings’ two goals. Nothing is a bigger relief for coach Terry Murray and the Kings than to see Kopitar healthy and performing.
MURRAY: “He’s healthy, he’s raring to go. He’s strong. He got a couple goals (against Buffalo) and he made a real strong play on the second goal. He played a lot of minutes in a lot of heavy traffic. They pay attention to him. They’ve got big defensemen who leaned on him, and he has come through the two games great.’’
Kopitar had career highs of 34 goals and 81 points in 2009-10, and for him to be known as an elite center, he will have to bump up that point total a bit. So far, through the preseason and first two regular-season games, Kopitar has displayed great chemistry with right winger Justin Williams — a regular linemate in the past two seasons — and has also looked solid alongside left winger Simon Gagne.
Kopitar will benifit greatly from the addition Richards. I have to admit it when Im wrong, but I was pushing for him to be paired with DB. He and Willie look like the sedins out there! Keep it going Kopi, you are my number1 center in my fantasy league to boot
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Again – I repeat — when Penner gets back, put him on the 3rd line for a good “line 2″
Line 1A
Gagne-Kopitar-Williams
Line 1B
Richardson-Richards-Brown
Line 2
Penner-Stoll-Hunter/Moreau/Parse
Line 3
Clifford-Lewis-Westgarth/Moreau
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Dominick Reply:
October 10th, 2011 at 11:06 am
@Kimo, I like your lines. I think Penner will get an opportunity on the top 2 lines once he’s back at full strength, but that is the way I project it by midseason. Not a knock on Penner at all, I just hope for some chemistry with Stoll there. Parse and Richardson switching around also if Parse gets his timing back in a couple of months as I predict it will take.
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kennynakamoto Reply:
October 10th, 2011 at 11:11 am
@Kimo, I would like to see how he plays first on the first line with Kopi, if he flops then push him down and down and down and out “if” he cant produce lol
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Kimo Reply:
October 10th, 2011 at 11:46 am
@kennynakamoto,
I remember thinking a few years back when Edmonton sucked right after their run to the finals, and thinking “wow, Penner’s line is so tough to play against, they cycle and hold onto the puck, and good thing Penner can’t finish otherwise, we may lose to the Oilers!”
So my thought is put him on the checking line and maybe the line and maybe him, Stolly, and veteran Hunter/Moreau, can simply wear down the opposition’s 1/2 lines by cycling the puck in the corner and killing time, until our scoring lines can come back onto the ice (against team’s 2/3/4 lines)
Let’s really make the team’s #1 line play defense, or at least, play bang and chase into the corners.
Kimo
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Dominick Reply:
October 10th, 2011 at 12:03 pm
@Kimo, I think Richards line will be taking the head to head match ups, and the other teams will be trying to match up against Kopi. The 3rd will have to provide some secondary scoring since their qual/comp will be decidedly less playing 3rd and 4rth line players. If Penner has an average to career year, it will boost our numbers on the 3rd line from last year with Poni-Zues-Simmonds.
Stoll has some scoring potential, and is a shooter, but needs a player that can get him the puck while playing sound defense.
RobSD Reply:
October 10th, 2011 at 11:13 am
@Kimo,
Penner is back. He played in in the last game. I mean, I guess you can say he played in the last game. If by playing you mean, he fell down and didn’t contribute much. If a D man is never mentioned much in a game, it’s a good thing. If you’re a forward and you’re never mentioned, it is not a good thing. Penner is so slow. Chara moves faster. Oh… is it Penner bashing time yet? I’m ready to start.
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Anjin Reply:
October 10th, 2011 at 11:17 am
@RobSD, ?? sorry but i’m not quite sure if your post is meant to be sarcasm.
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THEFL Reply:
October 10th, 2011 at 11:50 am
@Kimo, I agree…these are great lines! Go Kings!
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Jeff Reply:
October 10th, 2011 at 12:19 pm
@Kimo, As much as I like Gagne on the first line and Richie on the 2nd, I really like to see if Penner can come through on the first line. The chemistry the three had, Penner-Kopi-Williams before the ladder 2 got injured was pretty good. I really like to see if they can get it back and how it does long term.
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Dominick Reply:
October 10th, 2011 at 12:29 pm
@Jeff, I think that is a viable option. With Penner in better shape this season, that line may ultimately win out. Either way I would be happy, as long as Penner is producing somewhere in the line up. I do think it will be Stoll, or Kopi he plays with though.
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Brownkingsfan Reply:
October 11th, 2011 at 7:08 am
@Kimo, I said this very thing a couple of days ago. So far Penner hasn’t scored much with the Kings. He’s a big strong guy who might do better on the third line with Stoll. Richardson’s speed makes him a huge asset on the line with Richards and Brown. Why mess with the chemistry that looks good on that line?
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We got very lucky to get Kopitar. He’s definitely an elite centerman now. Whether or not the eastcoast/candian press recognizes it is a differnt question. ESPNs experts did their allstar teams and while each one picked DD not a single one mentioned Kopi.
So where is he? Top 5 or Top 10 NHL forwards, I’m not so sure. But I think he’s in the Top 20 without question and I’d think Top 10 after this year. And Top 5 soon enough.
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wavesinair Reply:
October 10th, 2011 at 11:36 am
@Weasel,
- He finished in the top 20 in scoring overall the past 2 years.
- He finished in the top 10 in scoring for centerman the past 2 years.
I agree, those are excellent stats. I suppose ‘elite’ status is reserved for only a select few that finish in the top 10 in scoring overall. ie. Sedin, Crosby, Brad Richards, Thornton and now Stamkos.
Once Kopi finishes in the mix with these guys, he’ll get the elite tag. Until then, he’ll *only* be “one of the best” centers in the NHL.
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Jeff Reply:
October 10th, 2011 at 12:22 pm
@wavesinair, I don’t know if Kopi is a 100 point guy, but with better wingers and more room to maneuver I believe he can get 90+. Of course if he can keep up the goal scoring maybe he can get 40 goals and 100 points. The key will be the PP of course. I do think he will be mentioned in the Elite category shortly.
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Weasel Reply:
October 10th, 2011 at 12:51 pm
@wavesinair,
I agree with you, but consider defensive presence and I think we all agree that Kopi is as good as anyone in your list. I’m not convinced I would rather have Sedin or Richards in place of Kopi due to defense, age and potential future growth. Stamkos is a tough one to decide with Crosby from your list being the only sure thing over Kopi (but only if healthy of course)
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Seems A Good Fellow Reply:
October 11th, 2011 at 6:15 pm
@Weasel, I saw that article and laughed. How Kopitar isn’t on 3 supposed experts pre season all star team is ridiculous!
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And he’s big enough to take a lot punishment and keep going, too. I think he gets some serious hardware this season.
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Lars H Reply:
October 10th, 2011 at 11:18 am
@Stuart, In puck battles along the boards, Kopitar was unstoppable against New York’s smaller centermen and D. Swoop in, get position, out comes the puck.
We’ll know just how elite he is after he’s played a few games against bigger, stronger Pacific division competitors.
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Kopi’s a dangerous guy out there. Sniper plus he plays D. He’s one of those guys, now, that the other team’s fans get very nervous when he has the puck on his stick.
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Raunq12 Reply:
October 11th, 2011 at 11:03 am
@LA_1968,
I agree that teams get nervous when Kopi has the puck.
If we had Kopi last season during the playoffs, I think we could have eliminated the San Jose Filth
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I will take the Kings’ 4 centermen over any other teams’. What a difference Kopitar should see this season having Richards on the roster. These first 2 lines should wear opponents out! This could be a huge season for Kopitar, can’t wait to see how it plays out.
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tornado12 Reply:
October 10th, 2011 at 11:25 am
@Shotongoal, even PIT? crosby, Malkin, Stall…SJ Thorton, Couture, pavelski, handzus?
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Shotongoal Reply:
October 10th, 2011 at 11:58 am
@tornado12, no argument that PITT and SJ have great centers also, and one for one, yes I would probably take PITT’s over any team, but collectivly I like the Kings’ just as much, when you consider Lewis in that mix…
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Kopi’s projections after 2 games: 123 goals, 41 assists, 164 points, and +82 this season…that’s on pace to score 50 in 33-34 games breaking Gretzky’s record of 50 in 39, also breaking Gretzky’s goals scored in a single season record of 92.
Just some fun with the numbers for everybody. Have a good day.
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Real 7 Reply:
October 10th, 2011 at 11:41 am
@uclaemt, you might also project that if the Kings continue to average a point per game
[2 games, 2 points] they won’t make the playoffs….
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The Third Vopat Reply:
October 10th, 2011 at 12:03 pm
@Real 7, Do your hobbies include popping bubbles and peeing in Cherrios? Dude was just having fun…….Me too
Not attacking just saying, It’s all good.
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Shakes Reply:
October 10th, 2011 at 12:37 pm
@The Third Vopat,
THERE IS NO SANTA! THERE IS NO SANTA!
Kopi is top 5 center IMO. He should win Selke this season if he keeps up but won’t because of hockey world t bias but I hope he is nominated at least.
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Michael_DD8 Reply:
October 10th, 2011 at 10:59 am
@ziggyfan,
People also think Mike Richards is going to wile the selke maybe..
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Michael_DD8 Reply:
October 10th, 2011 at 11:00 am
@Michael_DD8,
Win*
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wavesinair Reply:
October 10th, 2011 at 11:38 am
@ziggyfan,
He finished 8th and 7th the last 2 years respectively. I think the top 5 is reserved for the elite centers and that’s where Kopi will have to finish to be recognized as such.
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Jeff Reply:
October 10th, 2011 at 12:25 pm
@wavesinair, I believe that if Kopi hadn’t gotten injured the way he was playing before that, might have gotten him nominated for the selke. He was neck and neck with Toews, in terms of pt totals.
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wavesinair Reply:
October 10th, 2011 at 12:28 pm
@Jeff, And Crosby too, *if* …that’s the problem. The NHL is littered with guys who, if they stayed healthy, would have kicked butt. The nature of the beast.
Only real question this early is, 50, or 60? lol
The Rocket Richard trophy would look good in Kopi’s hands next summer.
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tornado12 Reply:
October 10th, 2011 at 11:26 am
@Dominick, not as good as the SC…
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Sebastian Reply:
October 10th, 2011 at 11:43 am
@tornado12, x 1million…..theres only one trophy that really matters! kings are set up where they dont need just one guy to get 40 or 50 goals. a bunch of guys getting 20 to 25 goals is just as good.
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The Kings in general, and Kopi in particular, do not and will not get the media attention and respect we all believe they deserve until the team completes repeat successful deep playoff run that matches, at least, those of San Jose, Vancouver and Chicago.
The bias favoring the east coast teams by the east coast based media is blatant has always been there. They resent having to stay up late to cover west coast teams games, so they get cranky, lol.
Just win, baby…RIP Al Davis
GO KINGS GO!!
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The boys have to stand-up for Kopitar when he gets targeted and hit by opposing defenders. There was one play where Buffalo upended Kopi and noone on the Kings rushed to his support or facewashed a Sabre. Teams have to know that if you go after him you’ve got 15 guys aiming at you at all times.
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red49er Reply:
October 11th, 2011 at 11:49 am
@dcaps55, isn’t that why we have clifford, westgarth brown and picked up hunter and moreau? team grit is what we’re suppose to have, now let’s see some of it
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Stuart Reply:
October 11th, 2011 at 11:52 am
@red49er, I mentioned it before, kings skate away after the whistle instead of sticking around and waiting until the dust has settled. Not a good habit. I think playoff experience will change this, at least I’m hoping.
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Kopitar is a top 20 player hands down, and is very probably a top 10 player. For the amazing amount of time he spends backchecking and shutting down guys like Thornton and Sedin, it’s amazing he has any time for offense. His skating, hands, vision, shot, defense, effort, and attitude are all elite. He truly is a complete player. He, not Doughty (as much as I love Drew), is the cornerstone of this franchise.
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RobSD Reply:
October 10th, 2011 at 11:20 am
@puddle,
I agree for the moment. Kopi and Drew looked like they were the only guys playing in Buffalo. I thought DD had a great game and I loved when he rushed the puck. I’m an outspoken JJ disliker. I’m not a hater but man, he has so so so so many breakdowns that lead to goals. Other guys will mess up now and then, but when he does it almost always leads to a goal. We have so many good D coming up that I think we should consider trading him. I know he produces some offense but I honestly think it would be a wash if you consider how much he gets scored on.
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puck73 Reply:
October 10th, 2011 at 11:25 am
@RobSD, You realize of course if you bash JJ then you will have to deal with my boy @Dominick. Dommer will pound you with corsi and relevant corsi stats until you scream UNCLE !
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Dominick Reply:
October 10th, 2011 at 11:33 am
@puck73, Quite alright. Starting to realize no ones listening.
You will see though.
Stuart Reply:
October 10th, 2011 at 11:38 am
@Dominick, isn’t realization one of the first steps to ackowledging the problem??? LOL couldn’t help it.
Can anyone here think of a better defensive center than Kopi that the Kings have had in the past 25 years? I cannot. It seems that every game he makes a big play in the defensive zone taking the Kings out of a dangerous situation. He is also VERY STRONG behind his own net. I believe that he will be one of the top two or three top defensive centers for years to come. (Props to TM & the coaches)
Add to that the 40 goals and 50 assists he will put up this year and you have the making of a top 5 center in the league.
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For me, Kopi is the most unselfish player in the league. He wants to help his teammates fast, nothing else is matter. But now I think he realizes putting up his personal numbers can help the team. Being true superstar benefits all. Go get it, Kopi. I presonally believe he can be as good as 50 goal scorer.
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wavesinair Reply:
October 10th, 2011 at 12:33 pm
@goldielocks,
I wouldn’t call it unselfish as much as smart hockey. Kopi realizes that involving your teammates often results in more opportunities for yourself. Basically, if you make the right play, and you have wingers that can match your decisions, eventually you’ll be rewarded. Gretzky was the greatest example of this… “unselfish” play turned into massive points for him.
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Dominick Reply:
October 10th, 2011 at 12:35 pm
@goldielocks,
If he keeps shooting he’ll score. His main problem has been that he doesn’t shoot enough in the past. So far I like what I’m seeing from him. Shooting more could actually create less wear and tear on him over the course of a season becuase players will have to respect his shot more, and play the lanes more than the body.
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Williams and Kopi together is what I always wanted to see last season, even though I suspect they broke them up to keep the second line alive…
Way to go Anze! You’re a beast. This is the year for some swagger, dude.
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Kopitar needs to break a 100 points this season!
You can dooo it!
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Kopi deserves to be paid more than anyone on the team.
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Being number one center on the Stanley Cup champs will get him the recognition he deserves.
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Plus Kopi is just 24 and you can see the improvement year to year. He’s not the type to be satisfied with staying the same. Look how hard he has worked to become one of top defensive centers in the game. Heck, that wasn’t even part of his game a few years ago. Back to the lines, Williams seems jazzed playing with Kopi. Wouldn’t mind seeing Richardson and Gagne flip-flop for next game. Kopi and Williams are both great passers and Richardson has a knack for shedding his man and being wide open. Plus Richards/Gagne combo really didn’t get much of a chance.
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I have a Question to my new Best friend ever # 11 Anze Kopitar is if you are the best player of the LA Kings do you want to be a Hall of fame of the LA Kings of the year and my last Question to Anze is why is Patrick Sharp is the All Star MVP because for the 2 reasons is Anze has 2 goals from the All Star and Anze should be a All Star MVP if Anze has 2 goals that means the announcer make a bad mistakes to give the MVP to Patrick Sharp that means Anze should be a All Star MVP and we need to booed the announcer and Patrick Sharp starting now and for the 2010 All Star MVP goes to my new best friend ever # 11 Anze Kopitar
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Stuart Reply:
October 11th, 2011 at 8:09 am
@Adam M, I don’t know what’s more impressive? The fact that you managed to semi-correct capitalization or that there is not one solitary period (.) in your entire post.
Bravo! And your new best friend should make some noise in the All-Star game this year!
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red49er Reply:
October 11th, 2011 at 12:01 pm
@Stuart,
Equally as impressive is your question mark at the end of your first sentence. They are reserved for questions rather than statements. Especially incredible, and thus noteworthy (as this very minor faux pas is),
it came to be while you were attempting to humorously correct a fellow Kings fan for similar issues. Bravo!
Yes, I am mocking you and rooting for Kopitar at the same exact time. Now that is impressive.
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Stuart Reply:
October 11th, 2011 at 12:21 pm
@red49er, LOL while you mock, you must understand that question marks follow questions, which is what my first sentence is. I was left wondering which was more impressive, therefore a statement that when spoken can be either a question or just a statement.
And you obviously are not familiar with other of Adams gems on this site otherwise you would understand the ribbing.
Understand?