In a heartbreaking turn of events for the Los Angeles Kings, defenseman Drew Doughty is currently sidelined due to a lower-body injury suffered during a preseason match against the Vegas Golden Knights.
The incident occurred when Doughty collided with the boards after a tussle with Golden Knights’ forward Tanner Pearson, forcing him to leave the game early. The 34-year-old was seen sporting a protective boot and utilizing a knee scooter to navigate around the team facility following the game.
” You don’t want to have Drew out for an extended period of time, but that’s just a sad reality now and we’re gonna have to deal with it,” expressed Kings center and captain Anze Kopitar on the unfortunate situation.
As the team awaits further information on Doughty’s condition, head coach Jim Hiller declined to divulge specifics regarding the ongoing tests. However, he remains hopeful that more clarity will be provided soon.
Doughty has been a vital presence on the Kings’ defensive line for 17 seasons and has been a key figure in the team’s Stanley Cup victories in 2012 and 2014. Last season, he ranked second in the NHL for time on ice, averaging an impressive 25:48 per game, while also leading all Kings defensemen with 15 goals and 35 assists.
With Doughty out of commission, Los Angeles finds themselves in need of filling two spots in their top four defensive lineup for Coach Hiller’s inaugural full season at the helm. The departure of Matt Roy, who signed with the Washington Capitals in July, adds to the defensive puzzle that the Kings must now solve.
The organization is looking towards promising young talent to step up and take on the challenge. Brandt Clarke, the eighth overall pick in the 2021 draft, is poised to make his mark in the NHL after showcasing his offensive skills in limited appearances over the past two seasons.
Similarly, Jordan Spence, 23, is prepared to contribute after logging significant minutes on the ice, primarily on the third defensive pairing and running the second power play unit.
“However long he’s out, we’ll try and make up for everything he brings, but obviously it’s a shoe to fill,” noted Mikey Anderson, Doughty’s usual defensive partner. “But we’ll try our best to collectively fill it.”
As the Kings rally behind their injured teammate, the upcoming season will test the depth and resilience of the team as they navigate through this challenging period without their defensive stalwart, Drew Doughty.
