Anze Kopitar has officially been named the new captain of the Los Angeles Kings. He’ll take the ‘C’ from Dustin Brown, who’s worn it since 2008.
It was reported in late May that Brown would be relieved of the captaincy, so today’s announcement was not unexpected. Kopitar, 28, is about to start an eight-year, $80 million contract extension, while Brown, 31, is coming off a second straight season in which he scored just 11 goals.
Kings GM Dean Lombardi is scheduled to address the media later today. When he does, expect him to be asked about Brown’s future with the club.
Brown is signed through 2021-22 for a cap hit of $5.875 million. His salary next season will be $7 million. Which is to say, even if the Kings wanted to trade him, and even if they were willing to assume part of his contract, they may not find a taker.
And per CapFriendly, this is what a buyout would like:
Update:
A couple of tweets from Lombardi’s conference call:
Kings' Lombardi not considering a Dustin Brown buyout. "I believe he can get his game back…he's still in his prime."
— Ryan Kennedy (@THNRyanKennedy) June 16, 2016
Lombardi says Brown recognizes he needs to get his game back in order for team to be successful. (Brown not available for comment today).
— Helene Elliott (@helenenothelen) June 16, 2016