Ken Holland: Kings won’t sign Doughty to extension

The future of one of the game’s most tenured veterans seems to be up in the air.

When speaking to the media on Friday night, following the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft, Los Angeles Kings general manager Ken Holland discussed the team’s plans with defenseman Drew Doughty.

Holland admitted that he and Doughty had met recently, but the team has decided not to put pen to paper on any new contract any time soon, despite being eligible for a contract extension on July 1.

“We did meet with Drew [over the past few weeks],” Holland said. “We’ve agreed that we’re not going to sign him to an extension. He loves it here. He wants to be here. I told him, and we both agreed, let’s see where he’s at, let’s see where the team is at a year from now.”

Doughty, 36, is heading into the final season of his eight-year contract extension that he signed back in July 2018, when he was still in his prime. Holland did mention that while the team looks to remain patient with the process, Doughty wants to retire as a member of the Kings.

“His desire is to finish as an L.A. King and only put on one team’s jersey. Certainly, that’s something that I’d like to have happen. But let’s see where he’s at and let’s see where we’re at.”

The London, Ont. native has been part of the franchise in Hollywood since he was taken by the Kings second overall in the 2008 draft. He helped make Los Angeles one of the premier franchises for most of the 2010s, establishing himself as one of the top blueliners in the game. Though his game has tapered off in recent years, he’s still valued by many in the sport, which is why he was named to Canada’s roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off and the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Doughty ranks third all-time in games played as a King (1,279), trailing former teammates Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown. Doughty is sixth in assists (544) and points (709). He’s also fourth on the franchise’s all-time list in postseason assists (42) and points (61), and sixth in goals (19).

Doughty helped the team win Stanley Cups in 2012 and 2014 and claimed the Norris Trophy in 2015-16.

Doughty’s contract carries an AAV of $11 million through next season, with a modified no-trade clause, where the player must submit a seven-team trade list.