NHL: APR 13 Ducks at Kings - Source: Getty — Top insider provides major updates on Drew Doughty (Getty)

Drew Doughty injury: Top insider provides major updates on Kings D-man's left ankle 'fracture' following scary in-game collision

Modified Sep 26, 2024 15:02 GMT

The initial X-rays on Los Angeles Kings star Drew Doughty came back with bad news ahead of the NHL regular season. In less than two weeks, the season will begin, but the Kings could be without their star defender for a long time.

"Sources say LA Kings defenseman Drew Doughty sustained a left ankle injury. Initial quick x-ray showed a fracture, but he's scheduled for additional imaging today. Hope is that it is only a fracture and not additional structural damage," Frank Seravalli wrote.

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Early in the first period, Doughty attempted a routine play on Vegas Golden Knights forward Tanner Pearson when the two collided into the boards.

Doughty took the brunt of their combined weight and was slow to get up. He was holding his left knee, but as it turned out, his ankle was fractured. He left the game and did not return. He was unable to put any weight on his leg while being helped off the ice.

Drew Doughty's injury will test Kings' depth

Drew Doughty is looking at an almost three-month recovery, probably missing a substantial part of the season. The Los Angeles Kings will have to look at other options in the meantime.

Drew Doughty will miss a chunk of time (Imagn)

This is a significant blow to the right side of their defense. They already lost second-pairing defender Matt Roy to the Washington Capitals in free agency during the offseason. Brandt Clarke and Jordan Spence are young, promising players who'll be thrust into the spotlight now.

Spence made his NHL debut while taking over for the injured Doughty during that injury-plagued 2021-2022 season. He averaged 19:45 minutes per game and added eight points in 24 total games.

This is not the first major injury for Doughty, who missed a large chunk of time during the 2021-22 season. Various knee and wrist injuries limited him to 37 games that year, and he did not play during the postseason. That was on pace to be one of his best-ever seasons, but he was unable to see it through.