Anze Kopitar will retire after this season, chasing one last deep run with the Kings while savoring every moment as captain in his 20th year. He wants his kids to experience the Cup moment and hopes a final title isn’t just a dream. Robitaille, already Hall of Famer and Kings president, reflects on a career capped by loyalty and leadership. The franchise stands at a crossroads after a strong season and a reshaped front office, with offseason signings and a search for a sustainable next chapter.

Meanwhile, the Kings’ legacy figures—Rob Blake and Ken Holland—navigate a post-cup core, while new pieces like Kuzmenko, Perry, Armia, and Dumoulin join, aiming to keep the playoff flame alive. The club faces voids beyond Kopitar, with the hockey landscape shifting in a league-wide context, setting the stage for emotional farewells, mentorship moments, and a high-stakes chase for another championship glow for a family of fans.

In Kopitar’s wake, the Kings seek continuity from a veteran-laden nucleus (Doughty, Fiala, Kempe, Byfield) while integrating fresh talent and preserving a competitive edge. The narrative blends a farewell tour with a roster-building puzzle, as a storied franchise hopes to convert meaningful nostalgia into new triumphs and a fresh sense of identity.

John Tavares is on the cusp of a historic milestone, sitting at 494 goals and likely to reach 500 this season as the 49th player to join that elite club. The Maple Leafs rely on his steady production and leadership as he heads into his eighth year in Toronto, a cornerstone who still drives the offense and sets the tone for a young core.

He took a substantial pay cut to stay with the Leafs, a move teammates applaud as leadership and belief in the club’s window. The veteran mentor role grows with Matthews, Nylander, Knies, and a deeper roster, all while he eyes a Stanley Cup chase. Fantasy managers should weigh his continued top-line production against age and team depth.

The Leafs remain grounded in pursuit of a title, with Tavares pledging to deliver another strong season and the organization believing in a sustained winner’s arc. His milestone chase adds a compelling narrative layer for fantasy projections and daily-league decisions.