Kings to retire Kopitar's No. 11 and unveil statue, closing the book on a 20-year era

The Los Angeles Kings announced on August 7 that Anze Kopitar's No. 11 will be retired and a statue will be erected in his honor, cementing the legacy of the franchise's all-time leading scorer and two-time Stanley Cup champion. The honors follow Kopitar's retirement announcement on July 29, ending a tenure that defined the Kings' identity for two decades.

Kopitar spent his entire NHL career in Los Angeles, serving as captain and the organizational anchor through the franchise's championship years. He finished the 2026 season with 21 points in 40 games before stepping away. No. 11 will not be worn again.

The announcement also marks a formal organizational turning point. With Kopitar gone, the Kings head into 2026–27 having missed the playoffs in back-to-back seasons, leaning on a younger core led by Quinton Byfield and Alex Laferriere and a recently extended Brandt Clarke. The statue and retired number close one chapter; what comes next is still being written.