Anze Kopitar receives high praise from LA Kings President Luc Robitaille - "He's our MVP"

In a recent podcast with the NHL's "The Rink", Luc Robitaille, a former player and current president of the Los Angeles Kings, spoke highly of his team's star player, Anze Kopitar. According to Robitaille, Kopitar should be considered a favorite for the Selke Trophy. It is an award given annually to the NHL forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game.

Robitaille praised Kopitar for his consistency on the ice, despite his age and the many years he has played professionally. The Slovenian center has been a mainstay for the Kings for over 15 years. He is still playing at a high level, often logging over 20 minutes of ice time per game.

Robitaille noted that Kopitar's presence on the ice has also helped elevate the play of his linemates, including Adrian Kempe and Quinton Byfield. Both saw significant improvement in their goal-scoring abilities while playing with Kopitar.

"Playing with Adrian Kempe, suddenly Adrian Kempe becomes 35 plus goal scorer, the last few years"

"He plays every big minute offensively every big minutes defensively, he's, he's our MVP"

It's not just Kopitar's offensive prowess that has impressed Robitaille. The former player also praised Kopitar's defensive abilities, noting that he often plays big minutes on both ends of the ice and is a crucial player for the Kings. Robitaille even went so far as to compare Kopitar to the Boston Bruins' Patrice Bergeron, who has won the Selke Trophy four times in his career.

"...always talk about Bergeron winning a Selke. Where if you watch Kopitar day-in day-out, if you talk around the league, these two are so close and they're so good"

Robitaille admits Bergeron for the Selke Trophy but Anze Kopitar is second.

While Robitaille admits that Bergeron is still a strong candidate for the Selke Trophy this year, he believes that Anze Kopitar is a close second and should not be overlooked. The Kings' president believes that Kopitar's contributions to his team, both offensively and defensively, make him a deserving candidate for the prestigious award.

Anze Kopitar has had an outstanding season so far, recording 68 points in 78 games and playing a key role in the Kings' push for a playoff spot. Meanwhile, Patrice Bergeron has scored 57 points in 74 games, with 27 goals, and 30 assists.

Whether or not Anze Kopitar ultimately takes home the Selke Trophy, there is no denying that Kopitar has been an integral part of the Kings' success this season. His impressive play has not gone unnoticed by his teammates, coaches, and fans alike.