For a long time, Anze Kopitar seemed like one of the NHL’s best-kept secrets.
The Kings knew how skillful the Slovenian center is at both ends of the ice, and teams he faced on a regular basis knew they were in for a battle.
But not until last season, as the Kings drove toward their second Stanley Cup championship in three seasons, did Kopitar earn enough fame outside the Western Conference to gain support for a major individual award. He was in the top three in voting for the Selke Trophy, given to the NHL’s top defensive forward. His disappointment in not winning didn’t last.
“The most important thing is within this facility, that the guys and people around know what I’m all about and trust me in that regard,” he said Monday before a Kings split squad faced an Arizona Coyotes split squad in an exhibition game at Staples Center.
“I don’t really care about the outside. I don’t care about the individual award. Would it have been nice? Absolutely. I’d take it in a heartbeat. But I think last year there was a whole bunch of guys who would have traded an individual award for the ultimate award and we were able to win that, and that’s all that matters in my book.”
Kopitar led the Kings in scoring for the seventh straight season, this time with 29 goals and 70 points in 82 games. He topped all playoff scorers with five goals and 26 points in 26 games while outdueling some top-quality centers.
The summer went fast for Kopitar, who turned 27 in August. He took a lot of time off and spent his time with the Cup in Slovenia, scene of a wonderful photo of him eating cereal out of the Cup while his dog, Gustl, a Goldendoodle, ate out of the miniature Cup each player receives. “He’s a character,” Kopitar said, laughing.
There’s a good chance the Kings, essentially the same team this season minus departed free agent Willie Mitchell, will give Kopitar and Gustl a chance to reprise that breakfast menu.
“Is it doable? Absolutely. But we’re going to have to play to the highest level that we possibly can, that we know we can,” he said. “Maybe even squeeze a little bit extra because we’re going to have targets on our back again. But we feel comfortable that it’s doable. I don’t think it’s cockiness or anything….
“We know we can do it. We’ve done it before. But of course it’s going to take a lot of effort and a lot of good hockey to do it again.”
Twitter: @helenenothelen
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