OPINION

By Craig Custance

updated 1:45 p.m. ET Nov. 5, 2009

They spent $13.6 million to lure Rob Scuderi away from the Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins. They dealt for veteran Ryan Smyth and his annual salary cap hit of $6.25 million. And when it was all said and done, Los Angeles Kings general manager Dean Lombardi knew those moves wouldn't mean a thing unless the Kings continued to see growth from their young players.

Especially center Anze Kopitar.

The 6-4 Slovenian saw his point total drop from 77 to 66 last season while coach Terry Murray introduced him to the other side of the ice with an intense focus on defense.

Kopitar has talent, but that alone wasn't going to help him lift the Kings to playoff status. He needed to round out his game. And he needed his body a little less round.

"His first two years, he was in brutal shape," Lombardi told Sporting News.

That changed this summer.

"This is the first year he made a conscious effort in the summer to get in shape. Bottom line," Lombardi said. "This is what we forget with a lot of these kids who break in early. They're so far away in a lot of ways from having developed their bodies."

Now, we're seeing what a physically developed Kopitar looks like. Without cheating his defensive effort, Kopitar has emerged as one of the game's most dangerous offensive forces.

Entering Thursday's games, Kopitar leads in the NHL in points with 24 (in 15 games), one better than Washington's Alexander Ovechkin. He is second only to Ovechkin in goals with 11. He recently had his first career hat trick in a 5-4 victory over the Dallas Stars, and two games later he followed it up with a two-goal effort against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

After a recent game against the Detroit Red Wings, veteran goalie Chris Osgood walked away impressed with what he saw from Kopitar.

"He does everything well," Osgood said. "He has a great shot. He almost took my head off twice."

Kopitar is emerging as the game's next big star — and winning in Los Angeles has accompanied his ascent.

The Kings are battling the San Jose Sharks for first place in the Pacific Division, a piece of real estate usually occupied alone by the Sharks.

It's not surprising, considering the offseason additions and the talent stockpiled by Lombardi. But the strong start is important. Lombardi said it helps the team build hockey self-esteem, something it didn't have during multiple esteem-crushing third-period collapses last season.

It also means the team has taken to heart the charge Murray introduced on the first day of training camp. These points in October count the same as the ones in April. Take advantage of it.

Murray also reminded the Kings about the organization he left to take over behind the bench in Los Angeles. His previous employer, the Flyers, finished in last place as recently as 2007.

They followed that season with a trip to the Eastern Conference finals.

"It doesn't take much to turn it around," Murray said. "It's a level playing field right now."

Having one of the game's best young talents certainly helps. Kopitar has clicked with new linemate Ryan Smyth, who is willing to do the dirty work required to score goals.

Kings captain Dustin Brown sees a bit of Smyth's influence rubbing off on Kopitar, who now is winning those battles in the corners. He's also competing harder than ever.

"A couple years ago, he'd get pushed around and the puck would get away from him," Brown said. "This year, he's saying, 'That's not going to happen.'"

That's added strength. It's also confidence.

When New Jersey's Zach Parise had some time to reflect on his breakout 45-goal season last year, he realized how important his strong start in October turned out to be.

Parise scored eight goals in his first 10 games. He's been riding that momentum ever since.

This year, it's Kopitar. And he raised Parise's start by scoring 10 goals in 12 games. The confidence that comes with that is immeasurable — especially for a player who is only 22 years old.

"Absolutely. It's not just the young guys, it's everybody," Kopitar said. "You get off to a good start, the nets seem bigger. You see more holes in net. I think for me personally, it's a little easier. It's good."

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