The Los Angeles Kings have announced that defenseman Drew Doughty underwent successful wrist surgery today and will be out for the remainder of the season. The Kings also added that Doughty will begin rehab on the injury immediately and is expected to be ready for the start of next season.
The news on Doughty is tough for the Kings, as they fight for a playoff spot in the Western Conference and hope to make a run in the playoffs. Doughty has struggled with injury this season, playing in just 39 of the Kings 74 games so far, last playing on March 7th at the Boston Bruins. Still, the Kings had hoped to get Doughty back perhaps at some point either in advance of the playoffs or during, but will now have to make their push for the Stanley Cup without one of their cornerstone players. In those 39 games this season, Doughty has seven goals and 24 assists for 31 points.
Another tough blow for the Kings, perhaps in hindsight, is that Doughty’s injury can put him on LTIR, allowing the Kings to offset his $11MM cap hit. This could have allowed them to make a more substantial acquisition at the trade deadline to replace some of what they lost in Doughty. Los Angeles did make a trade for another right-handed defenseman, acquiring Troy Stecher, and while Stecher is a quality NHL defenseman, he wouldn’t be considered the primary option to replace what they lost in Doughty.
Regardless, Los Angeles is still in a strong position, coming into this season expecting to have another building year and not necessarily having its focus on a playoff spot. The team finds itself in third place in the Pacific Division with 86 points, two points ahead of the Vegas Golden Knights, and tied with the Dallas Stars, who currently hold the second Wild Card position in the Western Conference. Even if the Kings were to miss the playoffs, playing perhaps 82 regular season games while in contention for a playoff spot could be considered a major victory for the organization.
Hoping he’s back if the kings get in the playoffs
“is expected to be ready for the start of next season.” – This means that he will not be available for this season’s playoffs.
Unfortunately, I predicted yesterday when they gave up the lead and it was 3-3 that if the Kings don’t get at least 1 point they will miss the playoffs and now this devastating news!
If you already thought they’d miss the playoffs then DDs injury status, in this season, is trivial.
Also unless the team simply collapses they still have a great shot of making the playoffs. They have the easiest (by opponent point percentage) schedule of the teams still scrapping. And. Vegas would need to keep playing lights out the rest of the way.
And then if they do miss they own their own 1st round pick so there’s a little silver lining
The issue is they must stay on the 3rd division spot to have any chance of progressing. An 8th place finish means they get dismantled by Colorado.
Would really like to see at least a few extra games or even series to gain more experience for the young’uns.
Next few years are shaping up to be very good!!
Go Kings Go!!
I don’t mind facing Colorado in the first round at all. As “we” started to ramp up towards contending back before the two cups we faced Vancouver and got slapped down a bit. But that series showed the potential in the team and seemed to show them what was required to advance as well.
Bring on the avalanche. Making the playoffs when “we” were picked 5th in the division by the experts in the preseason is a sweet victory (if it happens)