LA Kings’ Drew Doughty Could Be Team Canada’s Replacement Option: Report
January 27, 2025
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After Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo officially pulled out from the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off on Sunday “to tend to an ailment and prepare for the remainder of the regular season,” another veteran name has emerged as Team Canada’s latest addition.
Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty, who is progressing his way back to the ice after a broken ankle that he sustained in the preseason, has a “real shot” to get crack the roster according to The Athletic insider Pierre LeBrun.
While Team Canada has until Feb. 11 to announce an official replacement, LeBrun reports that it will “take its time evaluating its options.”
Read more: Knights Star Alex Pietrangelo Withdraws From 2025 4 Nations Face-Off
However, LeBrun reported that “if [Doughty] can show he’s up to speed in time for 4 Nations, has a real shot at being the guy. But we’ll see.”
It would be replacing one two-time Stanley Cup-winning 35-year-old defenseman with another.
VANCOUVER, CANADA – FEBRUARY 29: Drew Doughty #8 of the Los Angeles Kings looks up ice during the first period of the NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on February 29, 2024… VANCOUVER, CANADA – FEBRUARY 29: Drew Doughty #8 of the Los Angeles Kings looks up ice during the first period of the NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on February 29, 2024 in Vancouver, Canada.
Doughty’s return to the Kings is “imminent” according to LeBrun, who says that he should make his season debut in Los Angeles within the next three-to-five games.
He is aiming to use the couple of weeks of NHL play before the tournament begins on Feb. 12 as a showcase for Team Canada.
“I’m still hoping I have that outside chance to play in 4 Nations,” Doughty said on Sunday. “I don’t want to break, I want to play. So, we’ll see what happens.”
Doughty should have ample opportunity to prove his fit as he expects to hit the ground running without having to work up to his usual heavy-lifting of ice time.
Read more: Drew Doughty Injury: Impact of Kings Top Defenseman Returning
“I’m not gonna play nine minutes or something like that, or I don’t want to, anyway,” Doughty said. “I don’t think that’s what they want. That’s why I’m not necessarily playing right now, because they want me to come in and be able to play close to 15, 20 minutes. And then eventually keep increasing from there.
“I know when I get out there, I’m gonna be looking over my shoulder (at head coach Jim Hiller) being like, ‘I’m ready to go out for another shift.’ But yeah, that’s part of the reason. They want me 100%, ready to be able to have the minutes, and be able to play the way I need to play.”
He represented Canada in both the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics along with the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
Doughty racked up 15 goals and 50 points across all 82 Kings games in the 2023-24 season, logging the second-highest average ice time in the league, which trailed only Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson throughout the NHL.
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