Drew Doughty

[SkateFreak]

Okay so Doughty has two more seasons on his contract until he can become a UFA and one season till he can sign an extension with LA. Lets say Doughty throws up another Norris Trophy type of season and Kings don't make playoffs. What do you do with him? Do you trade him or keep him and give him a new Contract?

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[YP44]

Okay so Doughty has two more seasons on his contract until he can become a UFA and one season till he can sign an extension with LA. Lets say Doughty throws up another Norris Trophy type of season and Kings don't make playoffs. What do you do with him? Do you trade him or keep him and give him a new Contract?

Keep him and give him a new contact. Even if this club spirals he is young enough to get through a retool if he is willing to stay. Youth does no damn good without solid D play (just look at Edmonton).

 

[WHOneedsSOX]

The Kings can re-sign him July 1, 2018. If he isn't signed by the start of the 2018-19 season then you ask him what the chances are he leaves in the summer of 2019. If it's close to 50-50 then you have to trade him before the season starts. His value will only go down as time goes on. Can't risk losing him summer of 2019 for nothing.

Edit: Obviously you offer him whatever it is he wants and trade away salary if you have to, to keep him but if he's not sure if he even wants to stay here then you have to look at moving him. I don't feel like Doughty is the type of guy to stay out of loyalty. He'll go wherever he gets paid and where he has a great shot at winning. He won't stick around in LA if they're continuing to trend in the wrong direction. He was a huge Kings fan growing up but he got them their cups already. Nothing left to do in LA (other than win more cups which he can do else where).

 

[kingsholygrail]

I think it's gonna depend on his demands plus how he performs in 2017-2018.

 

[KINGS17]

Not sure how much the cap will increase next season or the following season, but I don't expect it to be much.

Signing Doughty to an extension next summer is something Blake better do his research on well in advance.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

It all depends on what Doughty wants. He's going to be one of the highest players in the league regardless of what jersey he's wearing.

If he's looking for another championship, and the Kings are still in black hole territory, then you trade him next offseason. The return will be enormous, but won't include another Doughty. This franchise may never see a defenseman like Doughty again. That must be considered in all trade talk. You'll get some good pieces back, but they won't be Doughty.

If he wants to stay (either because the Kings are competitive again or he's willing to sign on for the rebuild), then you pay him.

 

[tny760]

even if he wants 8 years 10mil+aav can you really say no? i don't think his defense will suffer tremendously as he ages (assuming he doesn't have injury problems) and that's a solid anchor to build around should the kings stink it up and end up rebuilding

 

[theMajor]

you sign him or spend the next 5+ years in the dumpster

 

[kingsholygrail]

I just imagine Doughty pulling a Blake during negotiations. It would be poetry.

 

[WHOneedsSOX]

you sign him or spend the next 5+ years in the dumpster

Not necessarily. Depends what you can get back. If you get back a #1 guy + more then it might actually be better. Of course Doughty is the best of the best but he isn't absolutely critical to win. You can get back a #1 guy who isn't quite as good + a couple other good pieces.

 

[SFKingshomer]

I don't want to think about it.

 

[KINGS17]

you sign him or spend the next 5+ years in the dumpster

The Kings have been a black hole team for the last three seasons.

I think as it stands today, with the boat-anchor contracts the Kings have and better opportunities to get paid and win which exist now, and continue to be there in two seasons, I place the odds of the Kings re-signing Doughty at about 33%. (2:1 odds he is not a King in two to three seasons).

 

[KINGS17]

I just imagine Doughty pulling a Blake during negotiations. It would be poetry.

It's just too much irony and symmetry for it not to happen, right?

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Even in a season in which people thought he wasn't good, the team was much better than the 1st defensive team in the league with Doughty on the ice, yet below average (17th!) with him off the ice. Drew has gotten just better and better, yet less flashy, as time has gone on; so much so that between that and people just flat out hating him because they think he 'robbed' Karlsson last year, his dominant performances are just under the radar. As said above, we're not likely to see a Kings defenseman as good as him ever again.

It's just to much irony and symmetry for it not to happen, right?

so terrible, but I have to laugh morbidly at it

 

[Little Psycho]

I just imagine Doughty pulling a Blake during negotiations. It would be poetry.

 

[deeshamrock]

you sign him or spend the next 5+ years in the dumpster

Disagree. First of all, he signs with the the team, they don't sign him. And I think he'll be more inclined to head for greener pastures. He's a super competitive guy, burning desire to be a champion and this team won't be as close to a cup as other, younger teams will be by then. If the Kings offer that 10M and he takes it, that's over 25% of the CAP (by then) tied up on 2 players which will handcuff them going forward. Like it has the Hawks. He'll get every bit of that, he's that good. ANd how does resigning him make the Kings a contender? You need a lot more than than, esp with the 3 other core pieces already in their 30's. It doesn't get them closer to the big prize if they can't afford top 6 wingers, a legit young elite #2 and upgrades in the bottom 6.

And if Blake and Luc's model is the Oilers, then they will realize (in 2 yrs when the contract is up) they need to get younger to keep up. I think they know they want to be younger and depending on the potential deal, who they would get , they might be better if by then other forward (younger) are in place.
Nobody replaces DD, but other teams have and win Cups w/o DD.

If they really plan on competing with the Oilers and Flames (who will get a goalie and be better next year) Sharks, Ducks, for a playoff spot, they need to get younger. not to mention the other conference, #4 won't guarantee a spot in the playoffs. Right now, they aren't a playoff team next year, not with this lineup and the other teams upcoming.

They could get a top d as part of the return and a top prospect, #1 pick ,etc.

It's a tricky situation and I'm hoping DD will be honest and upfront with them. If he really has his sights set on Edmonton, Toronto or another contending team, he should tell them that well in advance.

i think trading him is a viable option, sooner rather than later, to get a boatload back, including a top player(s) that could help become part of a solid future for them.

 

[kingsholygrail]

Even in a season in which people thought he wasn't good, the team was much better than the 1st defensive team in the league with Doughty on the ice, yet below average (17th!) with him off the ice. Drew has gotten just better and better, yet less flashy, as time has gone on; so much so that between that and people just flat out hating him because they think he 'robbed' Karlsson last year, his dominant performances are just under the radar. As said above, we're not likely to see a Kings defenseman as good as him ever again.



so terrible, but I have to laugh morbidly at it

Well yeah. Even a bad year for Doughty is still #1D quality play. It's kinda like Kershaw throwing all his walks this year for the Dodgers. Really out of character for him, but compared to his peers, he's still barely walking anyone.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

Disagree. First of all, he signs with the the team, they don't sign him. And I think he'll be more inclined to head for greener pastures. He's a super competitive guy, burning desire to be a champion and this team won't be as close to a cup as other, younger teams will be by then. If the Kings offer that 10M and he takes it, that's over 25% of the CAP (by then) tied up on 2 players which will handcuff them going forward. Like it has the Hawks. He'll get every bit of that, he's that good. ANd how does resigning him make the Kings a contender? You need a lot more than than, esp with the 3 other core pieces already in their 30's. It doesn't get them closer to the big prize if they can't afford top 6 wingers, a legit young elite #2 and upgrades in the bottom 6.

And if Blake and Luc's model is the Oilers, then they will realize (in 2 yrs when the contract is up) they need to get younger to keep up. I think they know they want to be younger and depending on the potential deal, who they would get , they might be better if by then other forward (younger) are in place.
Nobody replaces DD, but other teams have and win Cups w/o DD.

If they really plan on competing with the Oilers and Flames (who will get a goalie and be better next year) Sharks, Ducks, for a playoff spot, they need to get younger. not to mention the other conference, #4 won't guarantee a spot in the playoffs. Right now, they aren't a playoff team next year, not with this lineup and the other teams upcoming.

They could get a top d as part of the return and a top prospect, #1 pick ,etc.

It's a tricky situation and I'm hoping DD will be honest and upfront with them. If he really has his sights set on Edmonton, Toronto or another contending team, he should tell them that well in advance.

i think trading him is a viable option, sooner rather than later, to get a boatload back, including a top player(s) that could help become part of a solid future for them.

There are zero realistic trade options in which Doughty isn't the best player in the deal by a country mile. So what kind of "top player" do you expect in return? Will he ever make the team better than a 30+ year old Doughty?

You only deal Doughty if he wants to leave. That simple. These kinds of players come around once in a generation. Edmonton picked first overall for years and still lacks a bonafide all situations #1D. Doughty is the one big money player you want to keep through a major rebuild.

 

[kingsholygrail]

I argue D-Men tend to have longer lifespans anyway.

 

[tny760]

I argue D-Men tend to have longer lifespans anyway.

that's kinda how i see it too, and drew specifically has missed very few games from injury while playing a pretty "safe" style

basically i'd be more inclined to give a defenseman 8 years than a forward

 

[KINGS17]

Disagree. First of all, he signs with the the team, they don't sign him. And I think he'll be more inclined to head for greener pastures. He's a super competitive guy, burning desire to be a champion and this team won't be as close to a cup as other, younger teams will be by then. If the Kings offer that 10M and he takes it, that's over 25% of the CAP (by then) tied up on 2 players which will handcuff them going forward. Like it has the Hawks. He'll get every bit of that, he's that good. ANd how does resigning him make the Kings a contender? You need a lot more than than, esp with the 3 other core pieces already in their 30's. It doesn't get them closer to the big prize if they can't afford top 6 wingers, a legit young elite #2 and upgrades in the bottom 6.

And if Blake and Luc's model is the Oilers, then they will realize (in 2 yrs when the contract is up) they need to get younger to keep up. I think they know they want to be younger and depending on the potential deal, who they would get , they might be better if by then other forward (younger) are in place.
Nobody replaces DD, but other teams have and win Cups w/o DD.

If they really plan on competing with the Oilers and Flames (who will get a goalie and be better next year) Sharks, Ducks, for a playoff spot, they need to get younger. not to mention the other conference, #4 won't guarantee a spot in the playoffs. Right now, they aren't a playoff team next year, not with this lineup and the other teams upcoming.

They could get a top d as part of the return and a top prospect, #1 pick ,etc.

It's a tricky situation and I'm hoping DD will be honest and upfront with them. If he really has his sights set on Edmonton, Toronto or another contending team, he should tell them that well in advance.

i think trading him is a viable option, sooner rather than later, to get a boatload back, including a top player(s) that could help become part of a solid future for them.

This post is right on target!!



In case you missed it the Kings current roster is the planet. The Death Star is Rob Blake.

 

[KINGS17]

There are zero realistic trade options in which Doughty isn't the best player in the deal by a country mile. So what kind of "top player" do you expect in return? Will he ever make the team better than a 30+ year old Doughty?

You only deal Doughty if he wants to leave. That simple. These kinds of players come around once in a generation. Edmonton picked first overall for years and still lacks a bonafide all situations #1D. Doughty is the one big money player you want to keep through a major rebuild.

...and this might be the approach to take if all of the other boat anchor contracts didn't already exist.

There are multiple questions to answer here:

If the Kings re-sign Doughty, how long before they contend again?

How well will Doughty be performing 4 or 5 years into an extension?

Does trading Doughty, and ditching the Kopitar contract in 3 or 4 years make it possible for the Kings to execute a bonafide rebuild?

Does the new CBA provide a possible out for the Kings where they can rebuild around Doughty?

 

[WHOneedsSOX]

There are zero realistic trade options in which Doughty isn't the best player in the deal by a country mile. So what kind of "top player" do you expect in return? Will he ever make the team better than a 30+ year old Doughty?

You only deal Doughty if he wants to leave. That simple. These kinds of players come around once in a generation. Edmonton picked first overall for years and still lacks a bonafide all situations #1D. Doughty is the one big money player you want to keep through a major rebuild.

Of course not but you get back 2-3 maybe even 4 pieces back. You demand the other team's best youngish d-man, a top 6 wing or center, and maybe a #1 pick or two. Now do those 3-4 pieces make the Kings better than just having Doughty alone?

 

[Statto]

If we sign Doughty then we probably need to move Kopitar. I can't see how we afford both in the lineup and stay competitive.

Given we'd get the better return for Doughty my head says we move him. A team is the sum of it parts so whilst Doughty will easily be the best asset in the deal he could net us some key pieces. If we can get a first pairing d-man and several top prospects/1st round picks it would be significant in shortening the time any rebuild takes. Moving Kopitar would get a good return but nothing close to Doughty's value. It's a valid option but any rebuild would take longer IMO. I do however think Kopitar would be more up for the challenge of a rebuild than Doughty. Just a gut feel.

Then my heart says, "no way"! We sign him at any cost, keep Kopitar and pray the cap goes up significantly.

It's a dilemma for sure. The only option that's not on the table is letting his contract run down. We cannot let it run more than a few weeks into its final year. If he doesn't sign quickly we need to move him before the final season starts to make sure we get full value.

 

[Fishhead]

If a team comes in with a Lindros type return for Doughty, you have to at least consider it. I think it would start with a top pairing D man and a couple top young forward talents, with another small piece going back with Drew.