Anze Kopitar Injury: Updates on Kings Center's Upper Body and Return

Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar suffered an upper-body injury during Tuesday’s game against the St. Louis Blues, according to Helene Elliott of the Los Angeles Times.

Continue for updates.

---

Kopitar Unlikely To Return vs. Blues

Tuesday, Nov. 3

Kopitar suffered the injury during the first period of Tuesday's game, and the Kings announced he’s not expected to return, per Elliott.

According to Louie Korac of NHL.com, Kopitar was accidentally hit in the head by Ryan Reaves when skating behind the Blues right wing.    

Kopitar has netted four goals in 12 games this season and nearly had another on Tuesday, per the NHL on NBC:

The Kings have won seven straight, and playing without their alternate captain could be trouble. Kopitar has led the team in goals twice in the past five years. Primary center Jeff Carter has four goals this year as well, but the Kings may have to lean on Trevor Lewis in Kopitar’s stead for the time being.

Kopitar is in the final season of a seven-year, $47.6 million contract, but he hasn’t signed an extension despite interest on both sides. He was drafted by the Kings with the 11th overall pick in 2005.

Kings director of hockey operations Mike Futa told Luke Fox of Sportsnet on Monday the team will do all it can to keep Kopitar in the mold.     

“He’s everything we covet as a King," he said. "It’s too close to not get it done. We’ll find a way to get it done.”