""After last season, I had a bit of time over the last few months to think and to talk to the family to see where the path is for me and where it's going, and after lots and lots of thinking, I've decided that this year is going to be my last year playing in the NHL," Kopitar said. "With a heavy heart obviously, I've accepted that decision."
""These guys (wife and children) that are sitting here with me, have been with me for the past 20-plus years and now they deserve a husband and a dad to be home and present for the moments that are going to be leading up, especially for these guys (children). They're soon going to be teenagers and we all know that's a very important time of their lives and I want to be as present as I can be.""
Alex Ovechkin exchanged game-used jerseys with Los Angeles Kings captain Anze Kopitar at Capital One Arena, with Kopitar inscribing a silver Sharpie message calling Ovechkin a "goal-scoring machine." Tom Wilson and John Carlson joined the exchange and they posed for photos. Ovechkin scored the 903rd goal of his career, which became the game-winner. Kopitar scored his 443rd career goal on a second-period power-play tip from Corey Perry. Kopitar announced he will retire after the 2025-26 season to spend more time with his wife and children after 20 seasons with the Kings. Ovechkin is in the final year of his contract and has not yet decided his future.
Read at RMNB
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