The Los Angeles Kings face a major challenge as they look to fill the gap left by defenseman Drew Doughty, who fractured his ankle in a preseason game last week. Initially uncertain, his return is now estimated on a month-to-month basis.
With Doughty sidelined for at least a month, the Kings must decide who will step into his role on the top pairing and power play. Young defensemen Brandt Clarke and Jordan Spence are the most likely candidates to take on Doughty’s responsibilities for now.
Doughty sustained his injury in a collision along the boards during a recent preseason win over the Vegas Golden Knights. Known for his durability, Doughty previously held a 460-game streak from 2014 to 2019. Drafted second overall in 2008, he played key roles in the Kings’ two Stanley Cup victories (2012, 2014) and won the Norris Trophy in the 2015-16 season.
To address the void, either Spence or Clarke will likely join Mikey Anderson on the top pairing and power-play unit. While Clarke, the eighth pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, is highly regarded as the Kings’ top offensive defenseman, Spence, with more NHL experience, may be given the role initially to allow Clarke time to gain more experience.
As the Kings’ top two young defensemen, Clarke and Spence could see significant minutes in Doughty’s absence, testing their readiness for a prominent role. This could be a critical opportunity for both to prove they can handle the demands of a leading defensive role.
Leave a Reply