Over the past decade, since the mid-2010s, defenseman Drew Doughty has been one of the top blue-liners in the NHL for the Los Angeles Kings. Doughty is one of the most crucial players and most prominent leaders for the Kings' roster going into the mid-2020s.
Due to an ankle injury he suffered in the preseason last fall, Doughty missed over half of the regular season last year for the Kings' blue line. Even after he returned from the ankle injury, Doughty appeared to be dealing with lingering issues for the rest of the regular season.