“Bottom line, I want to stay in L.A.,” Doughty said. “That’s my home, that’s my favourite team my entire life growing up. The organization is the best organization in hockey, in my opinion. We still have a great team, great core group and I don’t want to leave L.A.”
The Kings are off to their best start in franchise history, which has created a positive vibe in the dressing room.
“It’s unbelievable,” Doughty said. “We’re having so much fun. This is the most fun I’ve had playing hockey since we won the Stanley Cup.”
Doughty already has three goals and three assists this season and is enjoying the new system implemented by Stevens.
“This year the difference is our coaches are adamant with our forwards to use that fourth man, d-man, in attack and we want that fourth man up all the time,” Doughty explained. “These guys are aware of us being there every time and now they’re looking for us.”
A media scrum set up camp around Drew Doughty’s locker well before the Kings defenseman emerged in a suit.
Doughty is from the Toronto area and has always been popular here, but he became a huge topic in the summer when he suggested, in an interview with the Hockey News, that he might leave the Kings if they’re not contenders. That, in turn, sparked speculation that Doughty might someday pull on a Maple Leafs jersey.
Doughty shot that down before training camp began, and did again Monday morning before the Kings played Toronto when asked about his contract, set to expire after next season.
“To be honest, it’s not on my mind at all,” Doughty said. “I know that interview in the summer kind of turned some heads and churned some questions. But the bottom line, I want to stay in L.A.”
From Elliotte Friedman’s 31 thoughts column:
24. Mentioned Iafallo a week ago about how the Kings appeared to have found a good one as an NCAA free agent. He said his other two finalists were Buffalo and Minnesota.
Montreal is awful. They do have the horses but they are missing the character to do anything about it. First firing of the season coming way early this season.
Futa was on Hockey Central earlier this week and was asked about Carter and possibly looking around to replace him. He said the Kings are not looking in the direction and have pieces within to fill that need. But he wouldn't tip his hand , so that wasn't a surprise. If the right player was available for a fair price, I think they'd do that .
Shame Shipachyov isn't a few years younger, now that the KNights are looking to move him. He's a very skilled top 6 center and I'm sure there will be a few teams making calls to Vegas.
I’d be more interested in Marchessault, who Vegas also doesn’t seem too interested in.
Damn, some ****ing honesty. I love it.
Goes to show to all the people who acted like Sutter wasn't a problem were out to lunch. It was so boring watching the games, imagine how that felt for the players playing it. I'm very proud of the organization for cutting out Sutter and DL. And bringing in a new philosophy.
Really cool to see how Turgeon is effecting the team. Really awesome. He must be helping a lot cause the players are even executing it differently.
Deep roster for sure. When Carter comes back it should go great, and I have no doubt that when Gaborik plays again he will do good too. This is his kind of style. It should suit him well.
Would anyone go with this lineup when Carter and Gaborik get back...
Brown--Kopitar--Carter
Pearson--Kempe--Toffoli
Cammy--Iafallo--Gaborik
Clifford--Shore--Lewis
3rd line has some soft wingers but Iafallo help them control the play and fish the puck well
Carter and Kopi, historically haven't meshed well. I'd put TT up there and keep Carter on wing with Kempe and Pearson, all 3 have speed and Carter brings stability and vet presence to that line (and size).
Would anyone go with this lineup when Carter and Gaborik get back...
Brown--Kopitar--Carter
Pearson--Kempe--Toffoli
Cammy--Iafallo--Gaborik
Clifford--Shore--Lewis
3rd line has some soft wingers but Iafallo help them control the play and fish the puck well
Nope. Iafallo has done wonders playing with Kopitar and Brown. Don't know why people want to break up that line when they complement each other so well.
Iafallo-Kopitar-Brown
Pearson-Carter-Toffoli
Cammalleri-Kempe-Gaborik
Clifford-Shore-Lewis
Not to mention his skating looks slower than ever.it seems to me that Toffoli lost his mojo. He wasn't the same as he was a couple of years ago where he was burying everything like the sniper he was. Recently, he's getting good looks but he's not beating anyone...
I’d be more interested in Marchessault, who Vegas also doesn’t seem too interested in.