Is Kopitar struggling?

shoot the puck more!

though only 7 games in, he is averaging 2.1 shots/game.
last season it was 2.5/game and his first season 2.7/game.

but this is interesting... in the past 2 seasons he's had 24 and 22 PIM. this season he already has 12 PIM.

I totally agree. Kopi tends to hang onto the puck too long, then think too much about what he wants to do with it. I think he's trying so hard to look for the perfect scenario when he should just take a less than perfect shot sometimes. Simple law of averages....keep banging away at the net and sooner or later something is going in.

I also think he needs to take some lessons from Sully on skating though traffic. Kopi's a big guy who can use his body more than he does to protect the puck. If you can't go around a defender, go through them! If he just keeps his feet moving, turns off his brain and uses his instincts he should be OK.

I think you also have to take into consideration that when Anze first came into the NHL, he took all of the teams by surprise. Now, all are onto him and really covering him real tight so, he's just not getting the chances he's had in the past. I think he'll work through it though.

I think it's a combination of other teams not giving him *any* room anymore, plus a psychological weight of needing to be better

If anyone says its because Sully isnt on his line, I'll go off. Kopitar is an elite force in the league, and if he needs Sully on his line to produce, then he is not worth the contract he signed. But like Rich said, 6 points in 7 games isnt bad at all, I just think some of us may be too demanding. Remember he is learning a new system, and it might take a while. But I think I would like to see his plus/minus improve and take fewer points then have 90 points and be minus 40.

BringBackKingston:

Yes, he has 12 PIM already, but remember, he got that 10-minute misconduct for breaking the glass in frustration in Game #2 against the Sharks. So I suppose you can discount that.

Anyway, I wouldn't be too concerned about Kopitar. This is only his third season, and once they start to become "veterans", guys try too hard to do things. That's just a natural order of things. I mean Ovechkin, a guy people consider the best player in the league, is struggling as well. As far as I'm concerned, if you're not doing something that Ovechkin is having problems doing himself, that's not really a tragedy.

The only thing wrong with Kopi is that he doesn't have inflated numbers right now. The team is much weaker in certain areas than it was last year. For all the abuse poured on Visnovsky and Blake, they were guys who could help offensively. As I pointed out, on that road trip there were 8 goals scored. The defensemen had a combined 1 point in that. And why is it unreasonable to say that Kopi Brown and O'Sullivan would have more points if they were playing together? Doesn't it make sense if 3 of the teams best players play together, there will be more points through out the line?

Kopitar is fine. He is doing the same thing he was last year, skating with the puck like only players in the top 2% can do.

he's in a funk, but he'll find his way. There's just not the same amount of ice out there like there has been for him. Teams no to take him out and fast.

It's probably bugging him just as much, so I'm sure he's pressing a little to much. He just needs to relax, and play his game. The pucks will find the back of the net soon enough.

I don't think Kopi's teammates always do him justice.

I mean, how many times have you seen him take the puck
ALL THE WAY DOWN THE ICE and around the net, with multiple opponents pursuing, and at that magic moment when he comes swooping out from behind the net, he looks to the slot, and...WHERE IS EVERYBODY?!?!

There is NOBODY in or near the frikkin' slot to take the pass, then the play goes stale, the puck turns over and play goes back down towards the Kings' end.

That line needs an instinctive "slot man". Brown is great, but he isn't really that type.

It could make all the difference.

I sure hope Boyle gets a chance there
before the season's out.

But if Kopi's teammates stop WATCHING Kopi and PLAY with (i.e.anticipate) him, the points will start
coming in a flood.
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--Sergei Prozacutov

I posted this in a different blog entry but I figure it fits here as well. It was basically in response to another post...

Sorry, but Kopitar is not getting a pass on his average play this season just because he is on a line with Moulson and/or Calder. The guy just signed a contract extension worth what? Close to 7 million per season?! And you're saying he isn't worth a damn unless he has Sully on his wing?! I totally disagree with you, 100%. He should be the one making all the other players better whenever he steps out onto the ice with them.

That being said, I really like Kopitar, I'm a huge fan. Heck every Kings fan I've ever met just loves the guy. IMO, Kopi is feeling the pressure of being the "Man" and he is gripping his stick a little too tight right now. The other teams are really going after him this year and it's not going to get any easier for him in this league. He is not a secret anymore.

One of the positives here is that Brown seems to be doing OK even though Kopitar has been average.

Posted - October 26, 2008 5:05 PM

Sergei - You hit the nail right on the Bloody head. Leave it to a Russian.

You are so correct that Kopitar needs that instinctive/intelligent player to feed. I'll say that I think Mark Parrish could fit in well if he were cheap. And, Murray woulndn't have to take O'Sullivan away from the other lines.

Whoever it is (Armstrong?) they must do exactly what you say: stop watching and get into a dangerous position.

Dont trip guys he is going to be fine, You dont learn what he's got and you cant unlearn it... Kopi is the shit...I worry more about Brown does it seem like he is not hitt'n as much as last year?

To be honest Chirs, Brown has been spotty in a sense. At times it looks as though he's lost the plot out there and is focused on a conversation in his mind. Other times he looks what I imagine Gordie Howe may have been like - strong, determined, smart, pissed, sadistic, the complete package.

Off topic but interesting - the Blues #3 Goalie that we faced Friday was injuried during last nights game. Andy Murray's curse continues. eight games into the season and he is now starting his #4. Oh and 3 of his 6 D are out also. Don't get in an elevator with this guy.

I was at the game in Nashville. I don't know why Murray didn't start Ersberg to begin with, b/c he needs to stay sharp, but that's beside the point. Kopi skated and moved the puck well even with the pressure Nashville applied with guys like Shea Weber, Ryan Suter and Dan Hamhuis (that's not a soft defense, btw.) However, he needs to take better shots. It seems like he's relunctantly shooting b/c he isn't getting the pass that he wants. He should forego some of the finesse, at times, and just attack the net. I would agree that some of his teammates don't anticipate him enough. I think it's also safe to assume that the contract is on his mind. I'm not too concerned about him, yet.

Kopi definitely hasn't wowed me yet this year, as he seemed to do on a nightly basis during his first two seasons. I'm not worried, however. If he can collect six points during a seven-game "slump", imagine how many he'll get once his game starts to fall into place.

Rich, thanks for posing this very interesting question. It goes way beyond the "so has Player X recovered from his groin pull yet?" type of question that other sportswriters ask.

I'm also intrigued by Terry Murray's response. If it's a sincere answer (and I think it is), he's telling us that Kopi is trying to do things that will get him to the next level. Frankly I haven't seen those nuances at all, but that could be why I'm not coaching the team.

OK off topic here but I was watching the hotstove during HNIC and Pierre Lebrun said te kings were considering Gaborik but only if he signed an extension with them. Again this is unlikely to happen but if it did im guessing they would need to trade Frolov and either Hickey or Teubert but that would equal Gaboriks salary so what gives?

FYI, the goal BROWN scored in Nashville was quite impressive.

Kopitar's two assists... a little less so.

It's too early to be sure of anything.

Dude if you watch the games, kopi is just ONE step ahead of the puck. He's just trying to force things a little but he will catch his stride because he is still playing great hockey, and only one step ahead of the puck. He will click, and when he clicks watch the fuck out, and when the entire team clicks like they did against the blues and ducks, watch out and when we get in the playoffs, magic will happen. We have several players with goals already, that is rad. we dont just have 2 or three people that can put up number this season. We have several people who have and will continue to get better and better. Dude Boyle is a fucking stud and we haven't even tapped in to that yet. I get the whole we want him to play more his size but really who gives a fuck if he puts the puck in the net? The guy has so much potential, I hope TM puts that to use and doesn't whipe any asses or give anybody seniority bullshit...
Even if kopi scores 20 goals this season we will still be on pace for success. Frolov didn't wake up until half way through the season and still scores 30 goals and he isn't anze kopitar. Gel - Click - Passion - Power - Pride - Playhard - Purplereign - Kopitar is god - Go Kings!

It's only been seven games for crying out loud, and he still has 1+6=7! Maybe it'll be time to worry after twenty games or so, but I expect he'll make adjustments by then and be the Anze Kopitar we've gotten used to in the previous two years.

I agree with Tim, that what is missing on that like is a shooter, a camaleri style guy (not that I want him back :) ) who can be at the right place and one time or slap the puck at the net...

Beyond that, with only 7 games into the season, i dont think there is cause to panic, he is doing ok with 6 points, he will settle in soon...

I don't understand how anyone can panic with a guy like Kopitar? His work ethic seems to be the same as always. Teams are making adjustments when he is on the ice. He will make the adjustments to free himself up. It has absolutely nothing to do with who his line-mates are.

Mark Parrish...1st line???? This guy couldn't even make an NHL roster this year. I believe he's playing in Bridgeport for the Islanders AHL team. He did jack squat when he was here the 1st time.
Boyle? Again, how about he earn some playing time on the 4th line before we annoint him 1st line status.

VOTE NO ON GABORIK!

Anybody that could still get a PPG with crap like Moulson and Calder on his line is elite. Put POS back on there and you will see Kopitar explode when he has a sniper to pass it to.

kb

I hear what you are saying about Boyle, but if he gives Boyle a shot on the 1st line without showing any hustle or consistency, wouldn't that be TM wiping his ass? I'd be a little pissed if I was a player hustling and getting benched for a guy who hasn't earned his playing time yet.

Don't get me wrong..I loved everything I saw from Boyle last year. I think he can be a great player, but he hasn't done a thing this year to warrant playing time.
I don't know of any coach in hockey who will give a young kid the benefit of the doubt without showing hustle in practice and games.

IMO, all BOYLE needs is 20-30 games in Manchester for him to get his scoring (and his whole game) going, and then to come back up & be put on a scoring line.

Boyle just needs to get his groove back, which is normally a harder/slower process for a very big man like BB.

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--Sergei Prozacutov

give the kid a break. He is 21 years old and has the entire weight of the franchise on his back right now. he will be fine

Kopitar will be fine. There has got to be some kind of psychological impact signing the deal he did. Look at what Buffalo's Vanek did last year, and what he's doing now, for example.

As of today, Kopi has more points than Ovechkin, St. Louis, Lecavalier, Kozlov, Getalaf among other top scorers.

Kopitar is a premiere forward in the NHL and at the end of the year, I am sure the stats will show this again.

I agree that its still early in the season and Kopitar will break out and have another great season but so far he has not looked the same. Yes, he has 6 points in 7 games but he has not been able to dominate the game and control the ice when he is out there for more than one or two shifts in a game. Last season him and Brown could consistently take control of the game while on the ice but this season that has been lacking. People put too much emphasis on points. Yes, its good to get points but when Kopitar is on, even when he isn't getting lots of points he controls the game while on the ice and changes momentum and makes and impact on the game.

Also, for all those that say POS is the solution to the troubles on the first line, I'm sure it would help Brown and Kopitar some having a better linemate. BUT, and I've said this before, in past seasons Kopitar and Brown have been on the same line consistently but the other winger has rotated often with guys like Ivannas playing with them for stretches of games and Kopitar was still able to be a dominating center and control play. This season he has had Moulson and Calder who I doubt anyone would say are as bad as Ivannas in terms of skill and has not played well. So it IS Kopitar that is struggling not just because he doesn't have O'Sullivan but because he has just been in a slump to start the season. O'Sullivan is playing fine without Kopitar so it isn't like he is struggling as well when our top line isn't Brown-Kopi-POS so all those that call for POS's return to the first line that will solve all of Kopitar's problems please stop because his problems have more to do with his struggles this year than his linemates.

Is he struggling? Maybe I don't know.6 points in 7 games it dosen't look so.We sore miss some PP goals from him but if he scored 2 on 5 on3 and 1 on 5 on 4 in a last couple of games his numbers would be 4+5 and he would be the MAN!But the fact is that the top line is struggling on PP.
The other thing is that Kopi is on PK team and PK is great so WE can be happy to see him play D.
I can only see good things ahead of this team!
GO KINGS,STANLEY IS JUST AROUD THE CORNER !!!

LOL!

All players should have 70 points (which is the track he's on) when the season is over.