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Kings’ Adrian Kempe sends a powerful message on Anze Kopitar’s legacy
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- Kings’ Adrian Kempe sends a powerful message on Anze Kopitar’s legacy
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Kings' Adrian Kempe sends a powerful message on Anze Kopitar's legacy appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Los Angeles Kings were swept out of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Sunday. As a result, the legendary career of Anze Kopitar has come to an end . The future Hall of Famer announced his retirement before the 2025-26 season began. And now, with the end of Los Angeles's season, his retirement is now upon us.
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Kopitar did not score a point in his final career game. However, he was still recognized as one of the three stars of the contest. He was honored by the Kings and their fans after the final horn sounded. And his teammates expressed their gratitude for everything he has done for them over his career.
"He's been there my entire career, so I want to thank him for everything he's done. It's going to be different, his leadership, everything he's done for the organization. Other guys, myself, have to step up & do the things he's done for this team," teammate Adrian Kempe said after Sunday's loss , via Kings reporter Zach Dooley.
Kopitar is the first and only captain to win a Stanley Cup with Los Angeles. He won two championships — in 2012 and 2014 — with the Kings. In 2014, he led all skaters with 26 points in the postseason. He did not win the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in either season, but his impact on both teams cannot be overstated.
In the end, the future Hall of Famer ends his career atop the Kings' record books as their all-time regular-season points leader with 1316. He finished tied for second all-time in terms of career postseason points. His 89 points are tied with Luc Robitaille and trail Wayne Gretzky, who had 94. Kopitar is one of two players in franchise history to play 100 postseason games, though.
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His career ended in heartbreak, but the legacy Kopitar left behind will remain for generations. The Kings have a lot of work to do in order to replace their longtime franchise cornerstone. That work begins this summer after their loss to the Avalanche on Sunday.
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