Does Drew Doughty Still Fit the LA Kings’ Long-Term Plan? – The Hockey Writers – Los Angeles Kings

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.

Doughty’s Many Contributions

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.

His legacy is firmly established, and beyond his on-ice impact, he helped set a standard that the Kings’ young talent continue to follow. Over time, his influence has become part of the organization’s identity, not just its history. Even as his role evolves, his contributions remain a benchmark for future generations of Kings players.

Kings Could Have Been Better in 2026 Playoffs

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 spirit, but his physical game is naturally evolving.

The organization has been stuck in a rebuilding phase since they missed the 2017 Playoffs, yet under president Luc Robitaille’s leadership, they have not won a playoff series. For a franchise with as much history and competitiveness, its inability to get over the first-round hump suggests that major changes are long overdue. If the Kings are serious about moving past the first round (something they haven’t done since 2014), they have to decide if a 36-year-old defenseman should still be skating 25 minutes a night.

Is Doughty Fit for the ‘C’?

Next season will be the final year of Doughty’s $88 million contract. While talents like Brandt Clarke and Quinton Byfield represent the future of the franchise, they haven’t yet reached the maturity required to carry a team navigating an ongoing rebuild. Keeping Doughty in a top-pairing role might actually block their growth. Naming him captain for the next two seasons would provide stability while also allowing the team to transition responsibilities and ice time to its younger players without forcing them into leadership roles too soon.

Doughty is the natural choice for the captaincy because he remains one of the legendary faces of the franchise, embodying the grit and success that defined the team’s most historic era. His presence in the locker room will provide an undeniable sense of authority and history that younger players don’t have.

However, given the physical toll of his style of play, he may only have two seasons left before he retires. Naming him captain would provide the franchise with a final, much-needed chapter of veteran stability, allowing Doughty to serve as the last remaining link to the team’s most iconic victories. Just because he isn’t the long-term answer doesn’t mean he isn’t needed right now. With Anže Kopitar retired, the room is empty. Doughty should be named captain because he is the only one who can protect the team’s culture while the ‘kids’ mature. He is a two-year bridge, not a five-year cornerstone.