Doctor analysis believes LA Kings legend Drew Doughty has suffered a catastrophic injury: likely done for 2024

Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli reported that Los Angeles Kings star defenseman Drew Doughty suffered a left ankle injury in a preseason game against the Vegas Golden Knights. It happened as the team won 3-2, with Doughty falling awkwardly after being hit by Golden Knights winger Tanner Pearson and having his foot jammed into the boards. He did not return after departing in the first period, sending immediate worry about his status to start the season.

An initial X-ray after the game showed a fracture in Doughty's ankle, according to Seravalli. Additional imaging was set for the next day to determine the full extent of the damage. So, no timeline has yet been set in this regard, although based on preliminary medical tests, six to ten weeks have been stated for his return to the ice, assuming of course no other structural damage is uncovered. All Kings and their supporters patiently wait for further updates, in that Doughty's availability may prove to be critical with regard to the team's defensive stability. One doctor named Harjas Grewal provided a very grim update on what he believes happened to Doughty.

Should Doughty's recovery go according to the preliminary estimate, the 34-year-old defenseman might miss as many as the first 15 games or possibly way more of the regular season. This would be a huge blow to the early campaign for the Kings, who depend a great deal on his veteran presence and two-way capabilities. His absence will surely be felt, particularly as Doughty has been on a late-career tear, having put up some pretty strong numbers across the last couple of seasons. That includes a 15-goal season last year, which was the second-best total of his 16-year NHL career.

The injury to Doughty piles onto what will be an already difficult season for the Kings, who lost defenseman Matt Roy to free agency this summer. Those likely to take his place include young right-shot defensemen Brandt Clarke and Jordan Spence. Spence made his debut during Doughty's injury-shortened 2021-22 season and has since developed into a steady third-pairing option. Meanwhile, Clarke will be counted on to play a much more substantial role in Doughty's absence after going eighth overall in 2021 and lighting it up in the AHL last year.

This is a huge setback for the player and the Kings heading into the 2024-25 NHL season. He might be out for weeks, which could adversely affect the performance of the team, but it's also an opportunity for some young guns like Spence and Clarke to step into positions. The Kings will hope for the best with Drew Doughty's track record and resilience, but for the time being, their depth is in for a serious test as they work their way through the opening stretch of the season without their top defenseman.