Class personified. That’s the best way to describe Luc Robitaille. The current President of the Los Angeles Kings starred for the team during his three stints with the franchise. First came his peak, 1986-87 through 1993-94. Then came the return, 1997-98 through 2000-01. Finally came the career send-off, 2003-04 through 2005-06. 

As a player and as an executive, Robitaille has seen it all in LA. He has helped bridge the generational gap from Marcel Dionne to Anze Kopitar. And now that Kopitar has broken Dionne’s Kings’ franchise points record with two power-play goals against the New Jersey Devils on Saturday night as part of New Jersey’s 6-4 victory over Los Angeles, Robitaille is the perfect person to share his perspective on two of his fellow franchise legends. 

*Editor’s Note: Questions and Answers have been lightly edited for clarity.

Question: You were teammates with Dionne for a short while, what did you see out of him that you also see in Kopitar? 

Robitaille: “Well, obviously, they’re two different players. But they’re both dominant for their era. I mean, Marcel was one of the greatest goal-scoring, points-getters of all-time. It’s incredible what he has done. And he was a smaller guy who just played with a lot of passion. Anze came in and he’s been one of the top two or three, we call them 200-foot players, of all-time. I mean, you could go back in any era. 

“We laugh sometimes, because if he would’ve been in Boston, he might have won just as many as Patrice Bergeron, of the best defending forward (the Selke Trophy). It’s incredible what he’s accomplished in his career. Plus, he led our team to win two Stanley Cups. They’re two different players. Marcel, what he’s meant to the LA Kings is amazing. And Anze, he’s become the greatest LA Kings ever.”

Question: What are your thoughts with Anze breaking the record and basically being as good now as he was 19, 20 years ago?

Robitaille: “His game is based on a lot of smarts. He is one of those players who he reads the game really well. I think acquiring Artemi Panarin and now, with Adrian Kempe playing so well with him, it’s kind of rejuvenated him. It’s been a lot of fun to watch him play the last few weeks.”

Question: Have you tried to talk Kopitar out of retiring?

Robitaille: “We tried earlier in the year. We said, ‘Maybe?’ And he said, ‘No.’ That was it for him. So we accepted that. He is gonna spend some time with his family and go back home. He’s always gonna be a big part of the Kings’ family. So, from that standpoint, for us, he’s always gonna be around as much as he wants. We did try, but he said that was it.”

Question: Is there a plan in place to have Marcel Dionne congratulate Anze Kopitar now that the record has fallen?

Robitaille: “People have already talked with him. Marcel’s such a humble person and he’s always happy when anything happens. I know there’s a few things going on between Marcel and us.”

And now that Robitaille has weighed in, let’s hear from a few of the Devils and Kings about Kopitar’s milestone night.

Nico Hischier on the Devils shaking hands with Kopitar after the game:

“You look at a player like that, not just a player (but) as a guy too. I think one of the best that’s ever done it. Especially for me, he was one guy I was looking up to. He just plays the way he plays. Obviously, that 200-foot game. It’s always fun battles against him and just a guy I admire. 

“His style of hockey and what he’s done with the LA organization is tremendous. Like I said too, not just the player, I think as a guy too. In LA, everyone talks about him. Just a great person. Just a little sign of respect. It’s almost a must, I feel like ’cause, like I said, what he’s done it’s unbelievable. It’s great the whole team did it and obviously wish him the best for whatever comes for him next.”

Nico Hischier on seeing Kopitar break Dionne’s record against the Devils:

“I was on the ice, so I was obviously first. Frustrating for sure. But I mean, right there, you gotta soak it in a bit and just admire what he’s done. I obviously wanted to congratulate him, but on the other hand, there was still a game going on. But, obviously, great from the LA guys celebrating with him. He deserves it.”

Cody Glass on the Devils congratulating Kopitar after the game:

“He’s amazing. He is a guy I’ve been watching since I was a young kid and I mean, it’s hell of a career. A thousand games. I don’t even know how many games he played. But it’s someone I look up to and he plays the game the right way. So, the amount of games he’s played, it’s great to watch, just ’cause he plays the game the right way.”

Jake Allen on giving up the goal that broke the record:

“I mean, obviously, he’s played before I did, but my first couple of games (in) 2011, where one of the games was against LA. He’s been one of the most highly respected players, I think I’ve ever played against, on and off the ice, from opposing players to teammates to coaches. I’ve met him a couple times; I don’t really know him personally, but I’ve never heard one negative thing about the man. 

“I think he’s just a great human and he has been with that franchise for a long time. Guys like that deserve a handshake at the end of their career. Not everyone, obviously, does, but he’s earned that right. You know, I’ll be on his highlight (reel) forever.”

Sheldon Keefe on everything Kopitar has accomplished:

“Pretty tremendous. I mean, I answered some questions on him this morning. Obviously, I’ve been coaching only in the east, so, like a lot of people in the west say about players in the east, ‘maybe you don’t have the same appreciation, because you don’t see him as much,’ but just watching The League and knowing The League as much as much as I have, there’s such respect for him. 

“First off, the Stanley Cups and those years. But as I said this morning, he’s just been so consistent as a player and a leader and all those kind of things. He’s still a dominant player out there…Probably could play as long as he wanted to. That’s what it seems like out there, just ’cause of his size and skill and intelligence, all that. So, yeah, tremendous career. You can just see, going around The League, just how much respect that the players have for him.”

Brandt Clarke on Kopitar breaking the Kings’ points record: 

“I think everyone on this team will remember the moment, regardless (of) where they were on the ice. That was awesome. We are so happy for him. We knew it was coming. He’s just a special person. It’s a good feeling for all of us to see him accomplish that.”

D.J. Smith on watching Kopitar become the Kings’ all-time points leader: 

“That’s outstanding. He’s been unbelievable. He continues to be one of our best players every single night. It’s very disappointing that we can’t get it across the line tonight.”