Anze Kopitar’s pay is a symbol of perseverance, leadership, and well-deserved respect. He currently earns $7 million a year through 2026 thanks to a two-year, $14 million contract extension he signed with the Los Angeles Kings in July 2023. That number seems well-earned and incredibly strategic for a player who has skillfully navigated almost 20 years at the highest level.
Kopitar’s contract is more than just a business deal; it’s a statement of the player’s and the franchise’s shared loyalty. His dedication to the Kings feels especially welcome in a time when celebrities are constantly pursuing better opportunities. It is similar to the uncommon, long-lasting relationships that exist in sports between stars and their hometowns, such as Derek Jeter and the Yankees or Kobe Bryant and the Lakers. These relationships are intensely entwined with identity, personal, and enduring.
His contract’s financial arrangement was carefully planned. The $7 million yearly salary, which comes with no signing bonuses or performance incentives, is a direct but polite recognition of value. The deal’s simplicity, devoid of extravagance, demonstrates Kopitar’s practical approach. His salary reduction from his prior $10 million average demonstrates humility and leadership, which is remarkably similar to that of seasoned captains like Sidney Crosby, who also took shorter extensions to maintain team flexibility.
Anze Kopitar – Personal and Career Information
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Anže Kopitar |
| Date of Birth | August 24, 1987 |
| Age | 38 years old |
| Birthplace | Jesenice, Slovenia |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Weight | 225 lbs (102 kg) |
| Position | Center |
| Shoots | Left |
| Current Team | Los Angeles Kings |
| Jersey Number | #11 |
| NHL Debut | 2006 |
| Current Contract | 2 years, $14 million (2023–2026) |
| Average Annual Salary | $7 million |
| Career Earnings | Approximately $136 million |
| Agent | Pat Brisson (CAA Hockey) |
| Status | Under contract through 2025–26 season |
| Reference | Spotrac – Anze Kopitar Contract |
With over $136 million in career earnings, Kopitar’s record reflects sustained success rather than abrupt upswings. Every contract he signed, from his first three-year rookie deal in 2005 worth $2.9 million to the huge $80 million extension in 2016, was a phase in a meticulously planned path. Each contract demonstrated his character, which was composed, steady, and always professional, in addition to his on-ice performance. Like his playing style, his financial development has been methodical, strategic, and remarkably consistent.
In contrast, the Los Angeles Kings have shown remarkable foresight in managing his career. They made sure they had stability at the core of their roster by signing him through 2026. His current $7 million cap hit is equivalent to about 7.3% of the Kings’ salary, which is a reasonable amount for a top-line center who is still putting up top-tier play. Kopitar demonstrated that aging hasn’t significantly lessened his impact in 2024–25, scoring 67 points in 81 games. He remains relevant because of his playing intelligence rather than his speed, which is becoming more and more important in a league that is moving toward analytics and strategy.
Kopitar joins the ranks of enduring veterans like Patrice Bergeron and Alex Ovechkin, whose value goes beyond simple statistics, by continuing to perform at a high level into his late 30s. The Kings’ rebuild has benefited greatly from his defensive prowess, locker room leadership, and mentoring of up-and-coming players like Quinton Byfield. He is frequently characterized by the team’s younger members as “extremely reliable” and “exceptionally composed,” qualities that stabilize morale and performance during times of transition.
The Kings made a very wise financial move by keeping Kopitar at a somewhat lower rate. Without compromising experience, it made space to improve depth, especially among younger defensemen and wingers. Because of his willingness to accept less, the company was able to maintain its competitiveness in the face of a tightening salary cap. In addition to being useful, this gesture had significant symbolic meaning and strengthened the franchise’s sense of purpose as it looked for new growth.
The gradual change in hockey’s economics has been mirrored in Kopitar’s career path over time. Nearly 14% of the league’s total cap was made up of his $10 million yearly average when he signed his $80 million extension in 2016. That same cap percentage would now be equivalent to about $12.5 million, demonstrating how his most recent contract, which is for $7 million, is especially cheap given his performance. This change demonstrates how loyalty and long-term planning can occasionally be more valuable than the desire to maximize the market.
Beyond the monetary aspect, Kopitar’s pay has an emotional significance that is difficult to quantify. His name is a byword for steadiness, elegance, and subdued power. In many ways, he is the essence of Los Angeles hockey; he led the team to two Stanley Cups in a humble manner that struck a deep chord with supporters. Even though his yearly compensation is high, it feels more like a reflection of continuity, trust, and shared history than a price tag.
There is something especially unique about Kopitar’s legacy when compared to other top earners in his generation, such as Steven Stamkos and Connor McDavid. Kopitar’s deals symbolize the tenacity of the past — the protracted, methodical journey of a player who perfected the art of adaptation — while McDavid’s enormous contracts symbolize the explosiveness of the future. His pay reflects who he is: reliable, modest, but incredibly valuable.
What’s amazing about Kopitar is that he doesn’t just maintain his game; he keeps improving it. His play and awareness are much more acute, and his physical conditioning is still excellent. He is now highly respected for his all-encompassing impact, which includes stabilizing lines, coaching teammates, and retaining an incredibly keen sense of the game’s rhythm. He no longer makes headlines with his scoring prowess. These nuances give the impression that his $7 million salary is wisely calculated rather than generous.
His influence goes well beyond Los Angeles off the ice. Being the first player from his nation to achieve NHL superstar status, he is considered a national hero in Slovenia. Numerous young hockey players in smaller European countries were inspired by his journey from Jesenice to California. He has significantly increased opportunities for kids in underrepresented areas through his sports development initiatives and charitable foundations, transforming individual achievement into group empowerment.
