The Los Angeles Kings veteran defenseman Drew Doughty has made his long-term intentions clear. He wants to conclude his NHL career with the Los Angeles Kings and is also open to assuming a leadership role.

According to the official NHL website, on April 29, 2026 (Wednesday), Drew Doughty spoke about his future and stated that he wants to finish his career with the Los Angeles Kings. He also admitted that his performance this season was not very good.

“I want to stay in L.A. for the rest of my career until I retire, but I understand that my performance this season wasn’t as good as it needs to be, and I expect to bring it back up next year,” the 36-year-old said.

According to the NHL official website, Doughty signed an 8-year contract with the Los Angeles Kings on July 1, 2018. The deal was worth $88 million. His contract is now close to ending. So far, neither the player nor the franchise has begun talks about a contract extension.

This season, Drew Doughty had 23 points, including 5 goals and 18 assists in 72 games. Drew Doughty got fewer starts in the offensive zone and a smaller role on the power play because Brandt Clarke has improved and taken a bigger role.

The 36-year-old praised teammate, saying veterans will guide his defense while his natural offensive talent makes him a strong future player.

“‘Clarkie,’ he’s got a bright future,” Doughty said. “I think with the veterans we have on the back end, we can help him in certain situations and make him better on the defensive side of the puck. And, offensively, he’s got a great gift, and he’s a great player.”

Drew Doughty leads the Los Angeles Kings among defensemen in points (709), goals (165), assists (544), and games played (1,279).

Drew Doughty Is Open to Captaincy As Well

Doughty also expressed his desire to become captain of the Los Angeles Kings, in addition to continuing to play for the team. The veteran defenseman said that he grew into leadership over time and now deeply values the idea of becoming captain of his team.

“I’d love to be captain of this team,” said Doughty. “It’s something, I guess, when I was younger, it was something I never thought of. And I kind of grew into a leadership role, and now it’s something I cherish, and it would mean the world to me to be a captain.”

Currently, Anze Kopitar is the captain of the team. Doughty has been an alternate captain of the team since 2015-16. Drew Doughty saying he wants to finish his career with the Los Angeles Kings shows his strong emotional connection with the team.

The 36-year-old played all of his 18 seasons with the Kings. The Los Angeles Kings selected Drew Doughty as the No. 2 overall pick in the first round of the 2008 NHL Draft.

What do you think? Will Doughty get a contract extension?

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Written by

Kapil Manghnani

Edited by

Kaamna Dwivedi