Holland Unbothered by Doughty's Final Year: 'He Wants to Be Here'

Ken Holland does not sound like a general manager worried about losing Drew Doughty.

A day after the Los Angeles Kings named Doughty the 15th captain in franchise history, Holland addressed the defenceman's contract on Thursday as camp got underway. Doughty is entering the final season of the eight-year deal he signed in 2018, and he became eligible to sign an extension on July 1.

"Drew has no desire to go anywhere," Holland said. "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."

Holland said earlier this offseason that the Kings would not extend Doughty right away, but would revisit it before he reached unrestricted free agency.

"He's not going anywhere and I want him to be here beyond this season," Holland 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."

Doughty, 36, has played all 18 of his NHL seasons in Los Angeles: 1,279 games, 165 goals and 709 points, with a Norris Trophy in 2015-16 and Stanley Cups in 2012 and 2014. He won Olympic gold with Canada in 2010 and 2014 and a silver at the 2026 Winter Games.