Sharks' Stuart: Young Kopitar had 'it' factor

San Jose Sharks defenseman Brad Stuart, via The Los Angeles Times, harkens back to the 2007-08 campaign when he played with the Kings. Anze Kopitar was in his second NHL season.

“He was a really skilled player when I was there,” Stuart said Sunday. “But I knew from his character that he was going to take the next step. Some guys you can kind of tell, they don’t  have the makeup as far as the character goes. They might have the skill  but you kind of question what they have inside to take to the next level.

“And I knew he had it because he’s a great kid. And I really liked him a lot. Still do. I knew that he was probably going to be a really special player. You can tell he was going to work hard to be the best he can be….He’s a big guy and he’s hard to knock off the puck. Those guys are hard to play against. And he’s got skill to match.”

Source: Lisa Dillman, Los Angeles Times