Veteran defenseman Drew Doughty hasn’t jumped off the Los Angeles Kings bandwagon despite the franchise’s season ending in frustration, watching the short part of it coming to a disappointing finale in being swept in four games by the Edmonton Oilers.
Drew Doughty Backs Jim Hiller Despite Playoff Loss
When a team gets bounced after a 2-0 playoff series lead, the heat usually turns to the coach. But Doughty — never one to dodge a question — stood behind interim bench boss Jim Hiller.
“It’s just human nature,” Doughty said when asked about the criticism swirling around the coaching staff. “When things go wrong, people want someone to blame. But I don’t think it’s on the coach. That guy came in and gave us everything he had. We just didn’t execute.”
Hiller took over midseason after the Kings fired Todd McLellan. He brought a more offensive style that sparked the team late in the year. But in the playoffs, the Kings once again couldn’t get past Edmonton.
Even so, Doughty wasn’t pointing fingers.
“We’ve got to be better as a group,” he said. “The responsibility is shared. Coaching only goes so far—you’ve got to perform on the ice, and we didn’t do that. Simple as that.”
Doughty’s support for Hiller could help sway the Kings’ front office as it enters a critical offseason, including whether or not to keep Hiller in the permanent role going forward. Hiller’s defense by one of the franchise’s most respected voices reinforces the idea that a coaching change isn’t always the cure-all.
Whether or not Hiller decides to come back next season behind the bench is uncertain, but one thing is for certain — at least one Kings veteran views him as a leader worth fighting for.
Doughty Nominated for Masterton Trophy After Resilient Return
Doughty has also been recognized for something else — his toughness. The Kings’ blueliner is a finalist for the 2025 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, awarded to the player who best shows perseverance and dedication to hockey.
After fracturing his ankle in the preseason, Doughty missed the first 48 games. He returned to the lineup on Jan. 29 and immediately logged a league-high 23:51 time on ice in his first game back.
Despite only playing in 30 regular-season games, he posted 17 points and added four more in the playoffs. His impact on the ice and in the room was obvious.
Doughty’s comeback and leadership helped keep the Kings steady in a year full of changes. His Masterton nomination reflects how much the 34-year-old still loves the game and how hard he’s willing to work to stay in it.
It’s Hillers fault he played Doughty a stupid amount of minutes. It’s Hillers fault the team played not to lose. It’s Hillers fault he healthy scratched Clarke. He coached like a Coward. I feel bad for Kempe, Fiala and Clarke.