The Los Angeles Kings will close out the 2025-26 regular season on April 16. On that night, Los Angeles will complete a three-game road trip against the Calgary Flames. This game could have importance beyond the end of the regular season for Los Angeles. It could be the final career game for Anze Kopitar.
Of course, the Kings and Kopitar hope to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs. No matter what happens, though, the 2025-26 season will be Kopitar’s last. The Kings legend announced his retirement at the end of the upcoming campaign in a press conference on Thursday afternoon.
Normally, these sorts of announcements come toward the end of a season. For example, Pat Maroon announced his retirement from the NHL with a handful of games left last season when he skated with the Chicago Blackhawks.
However, Kopitar wasn’t looking to wait around. He knew questions over his playing future would be asked this season. And he told reporters on Thursday that he wanted to avoid this hanging over the team.
“I just want to get this out of the way now to where I’m not a distraction for the team,” Kopitar said, via NHL.com. “For example, if we’re in a fight coming down the stretch, the last thing I want to do is to take any attention from the team and put it on myself. I just felt this is the best time.”
Anze Kopitar Discussed Playing Future Over Summer
Emilee Chinn/Getty ImagesAnze Kopitar is one of the best players in the history of the Los Angeles Kings.
Kopitar has accomplished a lot throughout his career. He has won two Stanley Cups in his career. In fact, he brought the first two Stanley Cups in franchise history to the Kings. He enters the 2025-26 season second all-time in career points, third in career goals, and first in assists among Los Angeles skaters.
Unfortunately, the passage of time catches up with everyone. Even Gordie Howe was unable to play forever. At some point, it’s time to call it a career. The 38-year-old has decided this is the right time for him.
“After last season, I had a bit of time over the last few months to think and to talk to the family to see where the path is for me and where it’s going, and after lots and lots of thinking, I’ve decided that this year is going to be my last year playing in the NHL,” Kopitar said, via NHL.com. “With a heavy heart obviously, I’ve accepted that decision.”
Kings’ Kopitar Reflects On Illustrious Career
The impact Kopitar has made on the sport of hockey in Los Angeles is immeasurable. He was there for some of the toughest times. And he was there at the peak of this team’s powers. He took time to look back on it all during his press conference.
“Looking back now, maybe in my wildest dreams I thought I was going to play 20 years in the NHL,” the Kings star said, via NHL.com. “I won a couple of Cups, and to play in as many games I did and all of that, it’s a great feeling to be looking back.”
The 38-year-old mentioned that he still has a year left, though. There will be time for further reflection. For now, it’s about the season ahead. Kopitar’s final season begins on October 7th against the Colorado Avalanche.
Anze Kopitar Reveals Reasoning For Timing Of Career Update