Kings Sign Kopitar to 7-Year Contract Extension

The Los Angeles Kings have announced that they have resigned center Anze Kopitar to a seven-year contract extension worth $47.6 million. The deal averages out to $6.8 million per season. Kopitar had one more year left on his current contract and would have been a restricted free agent in 2009. His contract is the second longest in Kings history, as Wayne Gretzky signed an eight-year contract with the team in 1988. Last season with the Kings, Kopitar scored 32 goals and added 45 assists for 77 points in all 82 games. So far this season, he is pointless in two games. The signing is an excellent one for the Kings, as Kopitar has tremendous offensive skill that will only improve each season. By resigning him for seven more years, team management is demonstrating their willingness to build the team around young talent.