In a stunning blow to the Los Angeles Kings, star defenseman Drew Doughty will be sidelined indefinitely after sustaining a fractured ankle during a preseason game against the Vegas Golden Knights.
The injury occurred in the first period of the game as Doughty collided with the boards while battling for the puck with Golden Knights forward Tanner Pearson. The impact was so severe that Doughty had to be helped to the bench by his teammates and was unable to put any weight on his left side.
“He’s obviously a huge part of our team,” said Kings coach Todd McLellan. “Losing a player of Drew’s caliber is never easy, but we have confidence in our depth to step up in his absence.”
Doughty, who played in all 82 games for the Kings last season, was a key contributor with 15 goals and 50 points. His offensive prowess was also evident in the playoffs, where he notched two goals and three points before the Kings were eliminated in the first round by the Edmonton Oilers.
The 34-year-old defenseman, a former Norris Trophy winner, has been a cornerstone of the Kings’ defense since being drafted second overall in 2008. Over his illustrious career, Doughty has amassed an impressive 156 goals and 669 points in 1,177 games, helping lead the Kings to Stanley Cup victories in 2012 and 2014.
As Doughty prepares for surgery and a lengthy recovery process, the Kings will need to find a way to fill the void left by his absence. It will be a challenging task, but one that they are determined to tackle head-on in the face of adversity.
