Kyle Garcia 
With training camp right around the corner, we are previewing each player on the LA Kings roster. Up next: Drew Doughty!
Drew Doughty
Biography
Birthdate:Â December 8, 1989
Birthplace: London, Ontario
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 205 lbs
Position: Defenseman
Shoots: Right
Drafted: 1st round, 2nd overall, 2008 NHL Entry Draft
2021-2022 Season
During his exit interview after the shortened 2020-2021 season, Doughty pleaded for the LA Kings to make some moves because he, Kopitar, Quick, and Brown weren’t getting any younger. Doughty is a big competitor and sometimes can be brutally honest. And that is why we all love Drew.
Through the first three games, Doughty put up one goal and six assists (leading all defensemen in points with seven at that time) and seemed like he would be on his way to having his best season since the 2017-2018 campaign. Unfortunately, Doughty suffered a knee-on-knee collision with Dallas Stars defenseman Jani Hakanpaa in the fourth game of the year that would sideline him for 16 games.
Doughty finished off the season by playing 39 games with 7 goals, 24 assists, and 31 points. Unfortunately, his season was cut short by a wrist injury on March 7th against the Boston Bruins. The injury would require season-ending surgery.
Dustin Brown scored, Anze Kopitar scored, Drew Doughty decided it was his turn. #GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/2MfJJ7x14f
— LA Kings (@LAKings) October 15, 2021
2022-2023 Outlook
The Kings will be happy to have their defensive anchor back to start the season. Doughty should be healthy and ready to go for training camp and be back on the top defense pair with Mikey Anderson. In addition to that, Doughty will also slot in on the first power-play unit. He’ll still tack on the big minutes and matchups against the opposing teams’ best players as well.
After watching his exit interview in May, it looks like Doughty is eager to start the season which is the complete opposite of the year prior. He is only 33 points away from 600, so if he keeps up the play from last year, he will definitely reach it.
(Main photo credit: NHL.com)