With training camp just around the corner, we are previewing each player on the LA Kings roster. Up next: Drew Doughty!

Drew Doughty

Birthdate: December 8, 1989

Birthplace: London, Ontario

Height: 6’1

Weight: 209 lbs

Position: Defense

Shoots: Right

Draft: 1st round, 2nd overall, 2008 NHL Entry Draft

2024-25 season

Drew Doughty’s 17th season didn’t get off to a good start. A fractured left ankle in a preseason game against the Vegas Golden Knights left Doughty on the sidelines for the remainder of the preseason and the first 47 regular-season contests.

Update on defenseman Drew Doughty: pic.twitter.com/v0mkmDllOS

— LA Kings (@LAKings) October 4, 2024

After a long way to get back, Doughty returned to the lineup against the Florida Panthers, and instead of being eased into the lineup, played both games on a back-to-back with at least 23 minutes of ice time. His return got him a spot on Team Canada’s roster for the Nations, which Canada went on to win the tournament.

Posting a Connor McDavid goal 👎
Posting a Drew Doughty assist 👍 pic.twitter.com/UReuKgRsnn

— LA Kings (@LAKings) February 16, 2025

After the Four Nations tournament, Doughty would be eased into the pair before being glued to it after the trade deadline. Still playing top pair minutes, Doughty eventually saw his minutes on the power play reduced as Jim Hiller went with five forwards on the first unit. For the regular season, Doughty tallied 17 points (4 G, 13 A) in 30 games while averaging 24:08 of ice time.

Although he added four points (1 G, 3 A) with an average of 27 minutes of ice time, it wasn’t the best playoffs for Doughty. In all situations, he was on the ice for 10 goals scored for the Kings (most of any King defenseman), but was on the ice for 17 goals against (most of any King skater). He was also on the ice for eight goals against at 5v5 (tied for most by a King defenseman). Not all goals were on him, but being on the ice for that many isn’t good either. In the end, the Kings were eliminated from the playoffs by the Edmonton Oilers for a fourth consecutive year.

DREWWWWWWW 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/F4wNdAE39p

— LA Kings (@LAKings) April 26, 2025

Drew Doughty answers quickly for Los Angeles with his first goal of the season!#GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/M93xfqABbx

— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) February 23, 2025

2025-26 outlook

Doughty will return for his 18th season with the Kings, which will tie former teammate Dustin Brown for second most with the club. I still expect Doughty to play on the top pair alongside Mikey Anderson, but perhaps we see his minutes trimmed a tiny bit. That will depend on Hiller.

Featured image credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Imagn Images

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