Photo Credit: Sean Kilpatrick / Associated Press
The NHL has released their nominations for the captaincy for each division in the 2022 NHL All-Star Game, and the LA Kings have three nominees in forwards Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe defenseman Drew Doughty.
Congrats to three @LAKings – Anze Kopitar, Drew Doughty, and Adrian Kempe – for nominations to this year's @NHL All-Star Game.
Kopitar has a team-best 16 assists and 24 points, Doughty paces all defensemen in assists (9) and points (11), and Kempe leads the team in goals (11). pic.twitter.com/Bb4RcoGiP8
— LA Kings PR (@LAKingsPR) December 11, 2021
Kopitar, 34, has put together an elite season up to this point, with eight goals and 24 points through 25 games played. The Kings’ captain is a five-time all-star and has the opportunity to make it six if he makes this year’s team. It’s unlikely that he beats out the likes of Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl for the Pacific Division captain spot; however, I’d expect he gets a spot on the team.
This season, Kempe, 25, has been a key piece to the Kings’ offense. He leads the team in goals, with 11, and ranks second in points, with 16. He’s been in the NHL since the 2016-17 season, and this is his first nomination for division captaincy.
Doughty, 32, is always a treat to watch in the All-Star Game, especially when he’s mic’d up. This season he hasn’t gotten the opportunity to play as much as you’d hope for an All-Star due to a knee injury, but he’s been elite in the games he has played, with two goals and 11 points through nine games played. Like Kopitar, Doughty has participated in five All-Star Games.
Other Voting Options
Along the rest of the Pacific Division, you can pick Ryan Getzlaf, John Gibson, Troy Terry, and Trevor Zegras from Anaheim, and the trio of Brent Burns, Logan Couture, and Timo Meier to round out the options from California.
In Alberta, the Flames and Oilers both have five options each. From Calgary, you can choose from Johnny Gaudreau, Elias Lindholm, Andrew Mangiapane, Jacob Markstrom, and Matthew Tkachuk. Edmonton’s choices range from Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Mikko Koskinen, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Darnell Nurse.
You can choose Jordan Eberle, Mark Giordano, or Jaden Schwartz from the NHL’s newest franchise in Seattle. Meanwhile, from the rivals in Vancouver, Conor Garland, Quinn Hughes, and J.T. Miller are available to be picked.
In Nevada, you can choose Max Pacioretty, Alex Pietrangelo, Reilly Smith, Chandler Stephenson, or Mark Stone to represent the Golden Knights.
If you’re interested in voting, visit NHL.com to place your ballot!
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