According to NHL Analyst David Pagnotta, the expectation is for the Los Angeles Kings to work with veteran defenseman Drew Doughty on a contract extension once free agency opens.
Additionally, Pagnotta reported that Doughty understands his current role at this stage of his career and that his ice time will decrease in the coming years, which will be reflected in his value and worth in his next deal.
The 36-year-old signed a massive eight-year, $88 million contract in 2018, and the contract won’t expire until the end of the 2026-27 season. If Doughty signs a one- or two-year deal, it could extend his contract a few more years before the former Stanley Cup champion decides to walk away from the game.
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Despite battling injuries in recent seasons, he remains one of the most iconic players to ever wear the silver and black, helping lead the Kings to two Stanley Cup championships.
But with all that said, those achievements remain in the past, and the Kings need to be smart about how they handle Doughty’s contract for the Kings’ future, whether they decide to rebuild with young talent or go all in for Stanley Cup contention.
Therefore, the Kings should still absolutely offer Doughty a contract extension. The most realistic option is to keep it a short-term, team-friendly deal.
The five-time All-Star has earned the right to finish his career in Los Angeles with the Kings, but the franchise shouldn’t pay him based on what he accomplished in 2014 or 2016.
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Whatever kind of deal or money the Kings decide to offer Doughty, it needs to be for what he’s valued now: a valuable veteran defenseman who can mentor the young talent and be a leader in the team’s locker room, not the James Norris Memorial-caliber workhorse he once was.
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