Details inside.
Even if Anze Kopitar and Steven Stamos are both looking for contract extensions, they are approaching the situation differently.
For Kopitar, it looks like the negotiations are having a certain effect on his game.
"(I'd) be lying if I say it doesn't creep up from time to time."
The Kings and Kopitar apparently came close to an eight year deal, but nothing has been reported since October. The two-time Stanley Cup winner has only 7 goals and 4 assists in 21 games this season. He is playing the final year of his seven-year contract he signed in 2008, when he was 21 years-old.
On the other hand, Steven Stamos argues that the contract talks have absolutely no effect on him.
"When I come to the rink, it's really not on my mind. For me, it's been pretty easy. It's not, I'm on the ice, 'Oh I better make this play because it's my contract year.' It's the furthest thing from the truth. It's been nice to get on this run as a team and help produce and help us get out of the funk we were in."
Both players will face-off against each other on Wednesday night, when the Kings will visit the Lightning.
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