On the career of Anze Kopitar

After Kopitar announced ahead of the season that it would be his last, he embarked on a farewell tour, where the NHL’s appreciation for his career manifested itself in many ways. As he and the Kings visited arenas around the league, opposing players lined up to give him postgame handshakes, wanting to offer him one last gesture. Whether they knew him personally or simply respected his game, the high regard they held him in could not have been clearer.

This season, Kopitar had the lowest scoring output of his career with 38 points, but still had multiple highlights on the ice, such as breaking the Kings franchise record for career points and playing in his 1,500th game. Like the team as a whole, he did just enough to sneak into the playoffs, appropriately marking his 11th career postseason appearance.

That postseason, in particular the end of it, perhaps offered the greatest sign of respect of all. Trailing by four goals in Game Four, Kopitar said he realized his career was about to be over with five or six minutes left in the third period. It was going to take those around him a little longer.

After leading one final handshake line, Kopitar exited to the Kings’ locker room, where his teammates almost couldn’t comprehend the thought of playing hockey without him. Drew Doughty admitted he was actively avoiding acknowledging the possibility. Adrian Kempe fought back tears trying to talk about the captain’s retirement. For as much respect as those outside the Kings organization have for him, those within the organization — those closest to him, who interact with him almost every day — have even more.

As Kopitar acknowledged during his final press conference, he’s making a pivot from professional athlete to full-time father and husband. At the same time, the Kings are making a change in direction of their own. Kopitar has served as their leader for a decade, and now they’ll have a challenge finding his replacement. The level of respect he commanded makes their search that much more difficult — but it’s also what allowed his career to end with the level of grace which it did.