Drew Doughty provides update on his future with Kings
Los Angeles Kings veteran defenceman Drew Doughty was informed earlier this season that the team wouldn't be offering him a contract extension in season. GM Ken Holland wants this year to play out to re-assess his group, leaving Doughty with some uncertainty heading into next summer. If it was up to him, Doughty would have already inked a two-year contract extension last July.
"I think I can play until over 40," Doughty told NHL.com's Tom Gulitti. "I believe I can. I've just got to stay healthy. The want to do it hasn't dropped, so, until I lose that, I'm not going to retire."
Doughty is set to earn $11 million AAV, and knows his game isn't what it used to be, which means there's likely a $3-5 million cap hit coming on his next contract. The money isn't on Doughty's mind, he just wants to remain a King.
"He knows what I want. I believe he wants to me stay," Doughty said of Kings general manager Ken Holland. "We just haven't talked about it yet. I feel like I'm performing better than I have in my past two seasons. So, I think that I'll take a team-friendly deal and stay in L.A. That's my plan."
The future hall-of-famer spoke recently about his status with the Kings, and it's obvious he has one thing on his mind - stick around the NHL even longer, and ride out his career in LA.
Doughty is set to earn $11 million AAV, and knows his game isn't what it used to be, which means there's likely a $3-5 million cap hit coming on his next contract. The money isn't on Doughty's mind, he just wants to remain a King.
"He knows what I want. I believe he wants to me stay," Doughty said of Kings general manager Ken Holland. "We just haven't talked about it yet. I feel like I'm performing better than I have in my past two seasons. So, I think that I'll take a team-friendly deal and stay in L.A. That's my plan."
If the Kings are open to trading Doughty before March's deadline should they be out of the race in the Western Conference, look for the Toronto Maple Leafs to be heavily interested.