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Yes, LA GM Ken Holland entered the offseason with a full list of to-do items: naming a coach, finding a center, fixing his defense, and naming a new captain \u2014 just to name a few. However, no single story will likely have the impact of what comes next for Drew Doughty<\/a>.<\/p>\n The 36-year-old defenseman will be entering the final year of his contract and has stated he wants to finish his career in Los Angeles\u2026 after likely playing several more seasons.<\/p>\n How Holland navigates the Doughty situation will likely have huge ramifications for the organization<\/a>, regardless of the path chosen. Signing him to an extension would almost certainly need to be at a steep discount from his current $11-million price tag (regardless of the salary cap going up). It would also likely require an understanding between Doughty, Holland, and new coach Peter Laviolette that the two-time Stanley Cup-winning blueliner is going to see his minutes ratcheted back a bit.<\/p>\n Signing or not signing next month will also play into him getting consideration for the open captaincy. Doughty stated he wants the letter during exit interviews in April<\/a>:<\/p>\n Doughty Wants to Stay and Wants the C At 36 years old, he\u2019s eligible for an extension this summer \u2014 and one that can include incentive clauses \u2014 but said there have been no conversations with management in that direction quite yet. He was also the only player who answered the captaincy question head-on \u2014 both Kempe and Anderson shifted focus to the group when asked the same thing, as we covered here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Mayor\u2019s Manor founder John Hoven has shared his extended thoughts on the subject in a series of radio interviews over the past week:<\/p>\n NHL RADIO REPLAY: Mayor\u2019s Minutes \u2013 Talking Laviolette, Holland\u2019s Next Move, Doughty Contract, Kuemper Status, and More<\/a><\/p>\n RADIO REPLAY: Talking Kings Hiring Laviolette, His Assistants, Larkin Rumors, and Other Roster Moves<\/a><\/p>\n Would Holland be comfortable entering training camp with his star defenseman sitting on an expiring contract?<\/p>\n \u201cWe have talked once, actually I texted him and we\u2019re going to meet again next week,\u201d said Holland, when asked that specific question at today\u2019s press conference. \u201cI\u2019m open to \u2014 let\u2019s see. I want to talk to him and see what he\u2019s thinking. I know what I\u2019m thinking. And I\u2019m comfortable going either way.\u201d<\/p>\n Dustin Brown and Anze Kopitar retired in Kings uniforms. Jonathan Quick\u2019s exit wasn\u2019t the most graceful \u2014 though it came in a summer when he was heading toward free agency and the Kings weren\u2019t planning to bring him back.<\/p>\n This whole Doughty situation just feels too important to kick the can down the road. Thus, it would seem that some clarity is likely to come in the next 30 days. Whichever direction the two sides go, this one looms large for an entire organization at a crossroads as they look to reshape their future.<\/p>\n Follow @mayorsmanor<\/a><\/p>\n Lead photo by ALoImages<\/p>\n MORE LA KINGS NEWS:<\/p>\n Salary Cap Crunch: Where Kings Stand Entering 2026 Offseason, Plus Likely Roster Moves<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n 5 Key Things to Watch with the LA Kings Starting Right Now<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n Note to webmasters\/reporters: When recapping news or interviews from this site please remember to include a link to www.MayorsManor.com<\/a><\/p>\n
Drew Doughty didn\u2019t leave much room for interpretation during his exit interview. On his future: \u201cI want to stay in LA for the rest of my career until I retire.\u201d On his play: \u201cI understand that my performance this season wasn\u2019t as good as it needs to be, and I expect to bring it back up next year.\u201d And on the captaincy: \u201cIt would mean the world to me to be captain.\u201d<\/p>\n