EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Los Angeles Kings general manager Dean Lombardi thinks it's time Drew Doughty was recognized for his excellence with his first Norris Trophy, awarded to the league's best all-around defenseman.
"All you've got to do is stay up and watch West Coast games, and you'll know why, and I won't even have to explain it to you," Lombardi said Tuesday.
He also has strong words for anybody who thinks Ottawa's Erik Karlsson is deserving of the award.
"Not even close," Lombardi said.
Doughty is expected to play his usual 30-plus minutes for the second-seeded Kings when they open the Stanley Cup playoffs against the rival San Jose Sharks on Thursday.