Over the past decade, since the mid-2010s, defenseman Drew Doughty has been one of the top blue-liners in the NHL for the Los Angeles Kings. Doughty is one of the most crucial players and most prominent leaders for the Kings' roster going into the mid-2020s.
Due to an ankle injury he suffered in the preseason last fall, Doughty missed over half of the regular season last year for the Kings' blue line. Even after he returned from the ankle injury, Doughty appeared to be dealing with lingering issues for the rest of the regular season.
In the 10 games Doughty played over 25 minutes, he only registered one assist. And in the 20 regular season games Doughty played 25 or fewer minutes, he registered four goals and 16 points.
He had issues with playing heavier Kings' minutes late in the regular season and the postseason last spring.
Drew Doughty 2024-25 Los Angeles Kings player season recap
2024-25 season stats: 30 games played, 4 goals, 13 assists, 17 points, +9
2024-25 advanced stats: 8.7 shooting %, 9.3 5-on-5 shooting %, 1.4 points/60, 3.4 point shares
2024-25 possession metrics: 50.1 CF%, 49.7 SCF%, 103.1 PDO, 50.5 HDCF%
The low grade that Doughty received this past season for the Kings was largely due to his performance being hampered by the broken ankle injury he suffered in the 2024 preseason last fall.
The first-line defensive pairing of Vladislav Gavrikov and Mikey Anderson stepped up on the blue line for the Kings when Doughty missed the first half of the regular season due to the ankle injury. I don't think Doughty was close to 100 percent last season or in the postseason with the lingering ankle issue.
Knowing that Doughty was able to return to the lineup in the span of under six months is very quick and admiration-worthy for the Kings. Doughty got to play in the postseason for the Kings and the 4 Nations Tournament with Team Canada this past winter and spring in 2025 to help speed up his return.
Rink Royalty's season grade for Drew Doughty: C-
Drew Doughty 2025-26 Los Angeles Kings season preview
With a full offseason of rest and recovery after suffering the ankle injury in the preseason last year, Doughty could be closer to 100 percent going into the upcoming 2025-26 season for the Kings. I'd still fully expect him to be on the top defensive pairing on the blue line for the Kings, playing alongside Anderson with that group.
Despite the sizable $11 million cap hit that Doughty has on the two years remaining on his current contract in average annual value, he'll be a key offensive cog for the Kings blue line and a crucial leading voice in the locker room.