‘He wants to be here’: Kings GM not worried about Doughty’s expiring deal

If there’s any threat of Drew Doughty leaving the Los Angeles Kings after the 2026-27 season, the organization is doing a good job of making it seem otherwise as training camp begins.

After naming the veteran defenceman the 15th captain in franchise history on Wednesday, Kings general manager Ken Holland discussed Doughty’s contract situation as he enters the final season of an eight-year deal signed in 2019.

“Drew has no desire to go anywhere,” Holland said Thursday. “You just see his passion for the L.A. Kings. You guys are all watching what’s going on around the league with contracts, so we’ve got to find a solution that is good for Drew and is good for the L.A. Kings.”

Early this off-season, Holland announced that the Kings would not be inking an extension with Doughty, who became eligible to re-up in Los Angeles on July 1, but added that they would revisit the topic before he hits unrestricted free agency.

Doughty, 36, has spent his entire 18-year career in Southern California, wracking up 1,279 games with 165 goals and 709 points, along with a Norris Trophy in 2015-16.

The veteran blue-liner won two Stanley Cups with Los Angeles in 2012 and 2014. He also won two gold medals with Team Canada at the 2010 and 2014 Olympics, and added a silver at the 2026 Winter Games.

With that much history in Tinseltown, it would surely be odd to see Doughty suit up in a different uniform — something that Holland assured reporters Thursday is unlikely.

“He’s not going anywhere and I want him to be here beyond this season,” Los Angeles’s GM said. “I don’t think either of us are worried about it because he has no desire to leave… he wants to be here, we want him to be here. I just think we’ve just got to, at the right time, find out what’s fair to Drew and what’s fair to the team.”