from Bob McKenzie of TSN,

Let me be crystal clear on this: Anze Kopitar's contract extension with the Los Angeles Kings is not done.

But hands up anyone who thinks it's not going to get done?

That's what I thought, although I might have seen just one or two hands hesitantly raised at the back of the room, and what if one or both belong to Los Angeles Kings GM Dean Lombardi and/or Kopitar's agent Pat Brisson? What then?

It's been an odd dynamic on this Kopitar negotiation – not as odd as Steven Stamkos and the Tampa Bay Lightning, but that's another story for another time.

Honestly, we all figured Kopitar's deal would be done by now. Actually, way, way before now. It's almost December.

I do believe it's "close," though using "close" in a negotiation that isn't "done" is a mug's game.

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