"For nearly two decades, Drew Doughty has been the heartbeat of the Los Angeles Kings' blue line. He's a two-time Stanley Cup champion (2012 and 2014) and a Norris Trophy winner. Doughty has defined the franchise's standard of excellence since he was drafted second overall in 2008. But in a league that is getting younger, faster, and more skilled by the day, the question arises whether Doughty is still a long-term cornerstone, or if he's become a short-term bridge whose time in Los Angeles should conclude when his contract expires in 2027."
"In his career, Doughty has not only won the Cup twice but also two Olympic gold medals with Team Canada (2010 and 2014), and achieved much more. Year after year, he's delivered elite-level performances as one of the most reliable players in the NHL. He missed time in 2024-25 due to injury, but still put together a strong performance when he was on the ice."
"But after the Kings were swept by the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday, fans have mixed feelings about Doughty's performance in the 2026 Playoffs. Some say the team would have collapsed without him, but others point to him slowing down due to age. Even as his physical game evolves, his experience has allowed him to adapt and remain effective."
"The Kings' recent sweep at the hands of the Avalanche was a wake-up call. While fans are split on Doughty's performance, the scoreboard doesn't lie. In the 5-1 Game 4 loss, Doughty led the team in ice time (over 23 minutes), but his speed struggled to contain Colorado's elite style of game. At 36, Doughty is still a "hunter" in s"
Drew Doughty has been a defining presence for the Los Angeles Kings, winning Stanley Cups in 2012 and 2014 and earning the Norris Trophy. He was drafted second overall in 2008 and has also won Olympic gold medals with Team Canada in 2010 and 2014. His career has featured consistent elite play and adaptability, including a strong showing when healthy after missing time in 2024-25 due to injury. After the Kings were swept by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2026 Playoffs, opinions diverged on his impact, with some crediting him for preventing collapse and others citing slowing speed with age. His ice time in Game 4 was high, but his ability to match Colorado’s pace was questioned.
Read at The Hockey Writers
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]