Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

Drew Doughty isn’t likely to play on Tuesday

Drew Doughty

In this Nov. 4, 2010, photo, Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty shoots the puck during an NHL hockey game against Tampa Bay Lightning in Los Angeles. Doughty has agreed to an eight-year contract with the Kings after the star defenseman skipped the first 13 days of training camp. The Kings announced the new deal with Doughty late Thursday night, Sept. 29, 2011. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

AP

Jonathan Quick and the Los Angeles Kings will probably need to continue their impressive lock down without Drew Doughty for at least another game. The Los Angeles Times’ Helene Elliott reports that Doughty isn’t likely to be ready for Tuesday’s game against the New Jersey Devils, even if that was the first game he was eligible to return.

The Kings might actually benefit from banding together without their star defensemen. Their other would-be star Jack Johnson is actually developing a reputation for playing better when Doughty’s not around, for one thing.

Let there be no doubt that the team wants their offensive defenseman back as soon as he’s healthy, though. Considering the prolonged and strained negotiation process, this is the equivalent to driving a Ferrari around the block a few times only to need to return it to the shop for repairs.

We’ll let you know when word surfaces that Doughty should be back in the fold.