Kings Brace for Extended Absence of Doughty After Lower-Body Injury

The Los Angeles Kings are facing the possibility of playing without veteran defenseman Drew Doughty for an extended period after he suffered a lower-body injury during Wednesday’s preseason win against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Tests Determine Severity

Doughty underwent tests on Thursday to determine the exact nature and severity of the injury. Coach Jim Hiller acknowledged the potential for a lengthy absence but expressed confidence in the team’s ability to adapt.

“We’ve got a lot of positive energy going,” Hiller said. “While losing Drew for a while wouldn’t be ideal, the excitement within the team is strong. We know he’s irreplaceable, but the players feel we have a good squad, and we’ll deal with this challenge head-on.“

Injury Details and Initial Reaction

Doughty sustained the injury in the first period when his left leg slammed into the boards after trying to make a play on the puck against Golden Knights’ forward Tanner Pearson. He was unable to continue and needed assistance leaving the ice.

Anze Kopitar, Doughty’s longtime teammate, expressed concern upon seeing the replay. “It looked even worse than the live footage,” he said. “There’s nothing we can do now. We know Drew will do everything to return quickly, and for the time being, we’ll have to play without him.“

Doughty’s Significance to the Kings

The 34-year-old defenseman is a cornerstone of the Kings’ franchise. Here’s a breakdown of his impact:

• Two-time Stanley Cup Champion (2012, 2014)
• Norris Trophy winner (2016) – NHL’s Best Defenseman
• Top-10 All-Time Scorer for the Kings
• Longest consecutive games played streak in Kings’ history (460 games)

Potential Replacements and Future Considerations

Brandt Clarke, the Kings’ 2021 first-round pick, and Jordan Spence are seen as the most likely candidates to fill the void alongside Mikey Anderson on the top defensive pairing. Clarke’s offensive skillset suggests long-term potential as Doughty’s successor.

Hiller acknowledged the opportunity this presents for Clarke but emphasized the need for a collective effort. “He’s matured significantly this year and is taking all the right steps to earn more playing time,” Hiller said. “While he has potential, we won’t throw him into the deep end. However, we will explore expanding his role.“

Kopitar echoed this sentiment, stating, “Replacing Drew’s impact won’t fall on one player’s shoulders. We all need to step up and contribute more.“

The Kings open their regular season on Oct. 10th at the Buffalo Sabres. Doughty’s absence will undoubtedly be a challenge, but the team seems determined to overcome it.