It’s been a while since we’ve done a look around the league. But that’s to be expected with the Canucks hitting the ice for 2025 Training Camp in Penticton this past weekend, along with their first preseason action on Sunday evening.

While Canucks fans were mostly enamoured with all the training camp standouts, we have some news around the National Hockey League to catch up on.

After a 20-year NHL career, Los Angeles Kings captain Anze Kopitar has decided to retire at the conclusion of the 2025-26 season.

The Kings held a press conference last Thursday, sharing the news ahead of training camp. Kopitar was drafted 11th overall by the Kings in the 2005 draft and has made an impact on the Kings from his rookie season. The then 19-year-old scored 20 goals and 61 points in 71 games, earning himself fourth in the Calder Trophy voting.

From the moment he took the ice for the first time in a Kings jersey, he became a problem for opposing teams. Through his 19 seasons, Kopitar has finished with above a 0.80 point-per-game pace (2016-17, 52 points in 76 games and 2018-19, 60 points in 81 games), in 17 of them. His career totals stack up among the NHL greats, with his 440 goals (76th), 838 assists (28th) and 1,278 points (40th) in 1,454 games (36th). If he is to play a full 82-game season, Kopitar would move into the top 20 for all-time games played.

The Slovenian has been a leader in Los Angeles since he donned the A in 2008-09, and has captained the team since 2016-17. Kopitar scored 17 goals and 60 points in 71 career games against the Canucks. While Vancouverites will be happy they won’t have to face the 6’3″ centre after this season, they will undoubtedly honour Kopitar’s legendary 20-year career.

Although, Kopitar might not be the only one who calls it a career at the end of this season.

When speaking with Sportsnet’s Dan Potash, Malkin was also non-committal that this would be his final year in the NHL.

“It depends on how the season goes,” Malkin said. “If we play great, I play great, I feel confidence in my game, why not one more? … I’m still hungry. I’m glad to be here this year.”

He later shared that you never know what will happen throughout the season, but he hopes to stay in Pittsburgh, adding that if he played his full career with the Penguins, he’d be “famous forever.”

Malkin, 39, is entering his 20th season, having spent his entire career as a member of the Penguins. Throughout his career, Malkin has been an outstanding running mate to Sidney Crosby, capturing three Stanley Cups (2009, 2016, 2017), two Art Ross Trophies (2009, 2012), one Calder Trophy (2007), the Conn Smythe Trophy (2009), and the Hart Trophy (2012). His 1,346 points in 1,213 games rank him 31st in all-time scoring, and a 45-point season will move him into the top 25 in NHL history.

With the Penguins heading quickly into a rebuild, Malkin could be a trade chip closer to the NHL trade deadline if his desire is to chase another Stanley Cup. However, by his words, it sounds like he wants to be a Penguin for life and retire in Pittsburgh, whether that be this year or not.

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