'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAHAAoDAREAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABQf/xAAWAQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACAAH/2gAMAwEAAhADEAAAAIBssj//xAAgEAACAgEDBQAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgMEEQAFUQYSITFh/9oACAEBAAE/ANutR2orC3lMpZlbuI8DHA+86r9FtZrxTpYCrKocDHrOv//EABURAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAS/9oACAECAQE/AEv/xAAUEQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQ/9oACAEDAQE/AD//2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
"What six weeks maybe": Elliotte Friedman provides important update on Drew Doughty's preseason game injury
Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty suffered an injury during Wednesday's preseason game against the Vegas Golden Knights. On the "32 Thoughts Podcast" (September 27), NHL insider Elliotte Friedman provided an update.
Co-host Kyle Bukauskas opened the discussion on Doughty by mentioning that the team is still doing tests to understand the full extent of the injury. For now, the Kings seem to be preparing to play without him.
"Thursday, the Kings just said that he was getting a lot more tests done." Bukauskas said. "We still don't know the extent of the damage. How much time is he's going to miss, but it sounds like organization is preparing, at least for the short term, like without drew Doughty." [3:14]
Friedman explained that for athletes, a broken bone is often preferable to ligament damage.
"So, one of the things I think we do know is that there is a broken moment somewhere in there, and what they are trying to determine is if or how much." Friedman said. "If there is ligament damage. And for anybody out there was any kind of athlete or understand, you almost prefer there to be the broken bone. You don't want the ligament damage. Ligament damage is a longer timeline." [3:30]
Friedman further explained that a broken bone usually means four to six weeks of recovery.
"So, I think that's what the kings were doing on Thursday, is trying to determine the second part of that equation. It was just a broken bone. You're probably looking at, what, six weeks, maybe, point itself, saying, Yeah, but you know, four to six weeks, and you can manage that if it's ligament it's longer," Friedman added.
Reports from The Athletic's Eric Stephens confirm that Doughty has a "fractured ankle." However, doctors are still checking for possible ligament damage, which could extend his recovery time.
Kings head coach Jim Hiller on Drew Doughty's absence
Drew Doughty was injured during the Kings' 3-2 preseason win against the Golden Knights. His left leg hit the boards in the first period while he battled for the puck with Tanner Pearson. Doughty was helped off the ice by teammate Mikey Anderson and a trainer.
Kings coach Jim Hiller said the team can handle the situation despite Doughty’s absence, noting that the team’s energy and excitement could help them manage.
"You don’t replace him," Hiller said, per NHL.com.
Drew Doughty’s absence creates a big gap in the Kings' defense. Young defenseman Jordan Spence might get more playing time, possibly even on the top power-play unit.
Trending
