Drew Doughty injured his left ankle during a preseason game against the Golden Knights.
An initial X-ray revealed a fracture, and more tests are scheduled. Doughty got hurt early in the first period after colliding with Tanner Pearson, jamming his foot into the boards.
If there’s no further damage, doctors estimate he could be out for six to ten weeks. This means Doughty might not return until November or later, missing at least 15 games. It’s a setback for the 34-year-old who has been playing well recently. Last season, he played all 82 games, scored 15 goals, and ranked 11th in Norris Trophy voting .
Fans might worry about how this will affect the team’s defense.
Doughty’s Previous Injuries:
In the 2021-22 season, knee and wrist injuries limited him to just 37 games and kept him out of the playoffs. He was having one of his best seasons then with 31 points in those games.
The Kings’ defense already took a hit when Matt Roy left for the Capitals last offseason. Now they will rely on young players like Brandt Clarke and Jordan Spence. Spence debuted in Doughty’s place during his injury two years ago and has since become a solid third-pairing defender. Last season, he scored 24 points in 71 games with an average ice time of over 14 minutes per game.
Clarke is another promising player but less experienced than Spence. At just 21 years old, he was picked eighth overall in the 2021 draft and is expected to become a full-time NHL player this season. He had an impressive run with Ontario Reign last year, scoring 46 points in just 50 games.
Fans hope these young players can step up while Doughty recovers.
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