The Doughty Effect

sharlette shahbazyan

Mon, Feb 17, 2026, 10:38 a.m. PST·3 min read

The return of Drew Doughty to the Los Angeles Kings lineup ignited fans and teammates alike with a wave of excitement and renewed hope. With their star defenseman back at the helm, the Kings felt like a complete team again, ready to face any challenge. As the 6-foot-1 Canadian participated in the 4 Nations Face-Off against teammate Adrian Kempe, there's potential of him improving his playmaking abilities and returning to the star defenseman form we all know and appreciate.

Combining a Norris Trophy (2016), two Stanley Cups, and two Olympic gold medals, he has established himself as one of the most respected and admired players in the game. His leadership extends beyond the ice, where he serves as a mentor and role model for younger players, continuing to shape the team's identity and culture.

Doughty embodies the qualities of dedication, commitment, drive, and hard work which have made him a champion. In the 2023-24 season, the London, Ontario native tallied 50 points in all 82 games, a testament to his reliability and his valuable two-way presence.

Since his return to the lineup in a 3-0 loss to the Florida Panthers on Jan. 29th, Doughty's presence has been a refreshing sight for the Kings, even if the wins have been slow to follow. After some adjustments to the lineup by Head Coach Jim Hiller, the team slowly improved in puck possession and the defensive zone seemed to tighten up. While the last game before the 4 Nations Face-Off wasn't ideal following a shootout loss to the Anaheim Ducks, the team can build on some strong individual performances, learn from the mistakes made, and come back stronger after the break.

To everyone's surprise, Doughty was named to Team Canada to replace Vegas Golden Knight's Alex Pietrangelo due to an undisclosed upper-body injury. The veteran defenseman's experience gave him the edge over others to represent his home country. Doughty expressed his excitement to the media about the opportunity to represent Canada before he was selected. When asked what it means to him to be able to represent Canada, Doughty mentioned:

"It means a lot...when I got injured this year, that was honestly, my first thought was, I can't make the team and play in the tournament. And then I heard about Pietrangelo unfortunately, going down. And right away I just tried to start getting back in the lineup and try to make that team..."

With Doughty being out for the majority of the season due to a fractured ankle, the 4 Nations Face-Off gives him the opportunity to ramp up his conditioning before the crucial stretch run in Los Angeles. We'll have to keep an eye out to see the remaining 2024-25 season unfold for this team and particularly for the longtime defender.

Can he maintain his level of play given the physical demands of his position? How will he adapt to any potential changes in the team's strategy or playing style before the 2026 playoffs? These are some of the questions yet to be answered but for now, Doughty remains the heart of LA.