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Kings' Kopitar focused on hockey, not contract talks

Bruce Fedyck / USA TODAY Sports

Anze Kopitar is keeping his focus entirely on the ice.

The Los Angeles Kings' franchise center enters the regular season with only one year left on his contract, and can become an unrestricted free agent next summer. And with the puck set to drop on Wednesday in San Jose, Kopitar is leaving negotiations with the Kings in the hands of his agent, Pat Brisson.

"We've had some talks, but nothing finalized, obviously," Kopitar told Helene Elliott of the Los Angeles Times. "I want to be involved as very little possible. My mind is on hockey right now.

"Would it be ideal to get it done now and not have to think about it? Yes. If it's not, it's just not. I've got to start here tomorrow and just play the way I can. It doesn't matter if it's my last year or not. I've got to play and do my thing and see where that takes me."

The 28-year-old recorded 16 goals and 48 assists in 79 games last season, and was named a finalist for the Selke Trophy in 2014. Kopitar has also been a key member of the Kings' two recent Stanley Cup championships.

Kopitar's current contract carries a cap hit of $6.8 million.

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