Comments on: Is Anze Kopitar An Elite Player?

By: Kings Weekend Reading – Feb. 6 @ LA Kings Hockey Club Podcast

Kings Weekend Reading – Feb. 6 @ LA Kings Hockey Club Podcast — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 17:02:05 +0000

[...] Is Anze Kopitar an elite player? via View From My Seats [...]

By: jtdutch

jtdutch — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 06:36:51 +0000

… If anything, Kopitar is probably too unselfish. He sometimes drifts from game to game wondering if he should be a goal scorer or a facilitator. It will take time to find that happy medium, but he'll get there. As for his defensive play, it still needs work. He certainly puts in the effort, but the actual effectiveness is lacking. He's improved his previously brutal faceoff work since the beginning of the 2010 calendar year, and hopefully he'll at last be able to surpass the 50% mark for an entire season. He's a step below the best of the best, but he's becoming a player who is taking a more serious approach to his profession as opposed to someone who was just playing for the fun of it. There's no reason to think he won't be named among the best in the league in due time.

By: phillyphan

phillyphan — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 06:33:59 +0000

Short Answer is no. Its easy. He plays for the LA Kings and has for some time. We all know that as soon as a player reaches the elite level, they high tail it out of town to a team that has a chance at lifting the cup.

By: Keith Korneluk

Keith Korneluk — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 04:45:14 +0000

That guy from KingsCast is spot on and really makes the whole article!

Quisp makes a good point in that Kopitar is being paid for his potential. The last thing Lombardi wanted was to hand him a contract that made him a UFA in four years. I think Kopitar is emerging. Let's definitely re-visit this at the end of the season.

By: Sam

Sam — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 03:33:14 +0000

I just disagree Mr. Quisp. First off, I will agree Kopitar is not on Crosby's level. I don't think Hossa or Kovalchuk are there either. As far as I'm concerned if Kopi didn't have to worry about defense he'd be near Chuk's numbers.

I see the Anze that made Robidas - yeah I've used it before and I'll use it again - look foolish. And if you're telling me that's a flash in the pan I'm tell you you're pre-mature in that evaluation.

Ovie, Crosby, Gretzky, Mario were all generational talents. They are one-of-a-kind but they're super elite. Kopi is not cut from the same clothe. But I think he's close to a Stevie Y in his abilities. He's just got to get that mean streak, which for some can take some time.

For me it comes down to the dude being 22, never having played with another elite player, and having some things to learn. This question, in my mind, is a better one for 2013-2014 than now. He's got the tools.