Nominee number two: Drew Doughty
Some said Drew Doughty was past his prime.
During the preseason, TSN had a segment looking at a potential Canadian ice hockey team for the 2022 Beijing Olympics, and Doughty was not on it. The omission seemed to light a fire under him, as Doughty, like he always does, did not hold back when expressing his disappointment with being left off the team.
Instead of pouting, however, Drew Doughty went out and had his best season since 2017-18, when he finished second in the Norris Trophy voting. In 56 games played this season, Doughty put up eight goals and 26 assists while logging an incredible 26:23 average time on ice. Making this even more impressive is that he did this while being paired with rookie Mikey Anderson for most of the season.
This season, Doughty also showed he has matured into a genuine team leader for the LA Kings. Always an emotional player, he is now able to keep his temper in check – a welcome change from the Drew Doughty who used to “fly off the handle” and take unnecessary penalties. Doughty now wears an “A” on his sweater and has become someone the younger players can look up to.