Longtime Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty revealed where he wants to finish his NHL career, saying he hopes to retire as a King.
Doughty, who was drafted by the Kings with the 2nd overall pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, has spent his entire career in Los Angeles, playing 18 years with the team. He has been one of the NHL’s best defensemen during his tenure with the Kings, having scored 709 points in 1279 games played. That’s not to mention his playoff success, as Doughty has won two Stanley Cups with LA.
Despite all of his career success, Doughty is now 36, and his career is nearing the end. He struggled this season, scoring just 23 points and playing in just 23:05 minutes per game, the lowest of his career. Although Father Time is creeping up, Doughty still wants to play in the NHL, and he only wants to play for the Kings.
Drew Doughty Wants to Finish His Career in LA
Speaking to the media on Wednesday after the Kings cleaned out their lockers after a season-ending playoff sweep by the Colorado Avalanche, Doughty reiterated that he wants to stay in LA, but he admitted he has not had any discussions with Kings management about a contract extension. He also admitted that his play this year was sub-par, but he still believes in his abilities.
Wants to finish his career in Los Angeles, will sign an extension if offered, but also said that his performance this season “wasn’t as good as it needed to be”.
“Drew Doughty said there has not been any conversation yet on an extension heading into the final year of his deal. Wants to finish his career in Los Angeles, will sign an extension if offered, but also said that his performance this season ‘wasn’t as good as it needed to be,'” wrote Kings reporter Zach Dooley on X.
On the topic of a contract extension, Doughty said there hasn’t been one yet, but he wants to sign a new contract to finish his career in LA.
“There’s been absolutely no conversation about it. I want to stay here. I would hope that the Kings want me to stay here too. If they approach me to get something done, I’m going to get it done,” Doughty said.
Drew Doughty Has 1 Year Left on His Contract
Doughty still has one year left on his contract at $11 million for his final season. At this point in his career, he is not worth that kind of money, but the Kings knew that the final few seasons of his contract would be anchors when they signed him to an 8-year, $88 million contract in the first place. NHL defenseman take a lot of punishment, and their play tends to level off as they age and their skating slows down. Doughty is still an NHL-level defenseman, but he is no longer the Norris Trophy winner that he once was. Now, he’s more of a middle-paring guy.
If Doughty wants to sign an extension to retire as a King, he is going to have to take a pay cut. A two-year extension for around $5 million per year seems to be a fair compromise between the two sides. For Doughty, it would give him a chance to end his career with the only NHL team he’s ever played for, while for the Kings, they would have at least someone who can soak up bottom-pair minutes for the next few years, while providing plenty of leadership on the ice and in the locker room.
With Anze Kopitar recently retiring, Doughty could be named the next captain of the Kings, so between the final year of his contract plus a potential short-term extension, the Kings would have their leader locked in for the next few years, before he, too, decides to hang up his skates. Doughty also told the media on Wednesday that he would love the opportunity to be the team captain, so perhaps he can get the C and a contract extension along with it.
Drew Doughty Reveals Where he Wants to End His NHL Career