Extension Talks Lagging Between Kings, Kopitar

Kings GM Dean Lombardi said that Kopitar and the team are "not even in the ballpark" when he was asked if the two parties were close to reaching agreement on a long-term extension, Jon Rosen of LA Kings Insider reports.Kopitar, who is entering the final season of a seven-year, $47.6 million pact, has been eligible to sign an extension with the Kings since July 1, but the team's unfavorable cap situation coupled with the star center's justifiably high salary demands have made negotiations difficult. While a deal isn't likely to be finalized in the near future, the Kings are still likely to hammer out a deal with Kopitar before he becomes an unrestricted free agent next summer.