Drew Doughty is leading the Kings in average ice time this season, at 25 minutes, 39 seconds per game. He’s one of nine NHL players this season — all defensemen — to average more than 25 minutes per game, and he’s also the youngest by far. Doughty turned 21 last month, and the New York Rangers’ Marc Staal averages 25:02 at age 23. The six players ahead of Doughty in average ice time have an average age of 28.8. That, alone, should quiet the rather curious suggestion that Doughty is “out of shape,” suggestions presumably fueled by Doughty’s weight issues in junior hockey and the fact that he re-took his fitness test after initially scoring lower than expected. Doughty played nearly 29 minutes last night — sort of like a running back getting 29 carries in a game — and today Terry Murray said he was comfortable with Doughty’s conditioning and with the number of minutes the young defenseman is playing.
MURRAY: “I think he’s in as good of shape as he should be right now, but it’s not as good as he will be as he continues to mature as a man. That will just evolve into a bigger, stronger player. He played a lot of minutes last night. He’s up around 28 minutes, and that’s where we want him to be. Can he handle those minutes? Yeah, sure he can. He’s such a gifted player that when you’re out in those situations, for those many minutes, you just learn how to play the game. You’re not going to be 100-percent intensity. That’s to be expected. You pace yourself at times. As long as your timing is good, away from the puck or going to get pucks with intensity and moving in the right way, those defensemen can play, every game, 30 minutes, 28 minutes, without any problem. We saw (Chris) Pronger over the years here. There’s a style, a way of doing it.
“I’m OK with his conditioning. We do all the skating drills, whenever we have those real hard-work drills. He’s pushing it as hard as anybody, and he’s right there with everybody else. I’m OK. But I know down the road, in several years, he will be a better physical specimen than what he is today.”
“You’re not going to be 100-percent intensity. That’s to be expected. You pace yourself at times”.
What this teams needs IS 100% intensity for 60 minutes a game and just because he can log 28 min’s a game does not equal the intensity this team deserves. Maybe, just maybe cut his TOI down so we get the intensity that DD CAN bring each and every shift. We are not a team of super-stars, and so it goes that the entire team needs to give 100% intensity 60 min’s of every game and it shows that when that DOES happen the Kings are unstoppable. Does Quicker pace himself? Does he not give 100% of himself every game he plays? Have you witnessed JW’s game…this guy plays at 110% every game.
The one thing I do agree with TM about is that DD is going to be a beast as he matures.
NOW GO OUT AND SHOW THE NHL WHAT 100% INTENSITY FROM THE KINGS CAN MEAN TO EVERY TEAM THAT PLAYS US !!
I am a fan for life.
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
January 2nd, 2011 at 4:13 pm
@SplattDaddy, yea me and u both i been watching the Kings all my life born because my of my dad i seen team when it was at pretty good then turn into crapy and then it just got worst for 8 years and now we have a team we can look forward to watch for me its not a team who has the most Cups its the Team that has the Heart to have it and want it that wins the Stanley Cup
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Bill M. Reply:
January 2nd, 2011 at 5:44 pm
@SplattDaddy, I disagree here, I think TM is correct. He means that somebody on the ice fo that much of the game is going to have some slower moments where they need to stay in position, but the action is elsewhere. In this sense, does quick give 100%? No! He spends a good portion of the game standing there and watching our offense at work. It’s sometimes part of Doughty’s job to just be in position, and to be observing, making little mental notes about how the other team is attacking, etc.
Those lulls in the action mean that doughty is not physically exerting himself the entire 25+ minutes. That’s acceptable. Whats not acceptable is less than a 100% MENTAL effort. Everybody needs to keep their head in the game for a full 60 minutes, and THAT seems to be the problem we are having, more than conditioning or physical effort. We are going through periods where there is a lack of focus. When the focus is there, we appear to be nearly unbeatable.
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Jamesonafterawin Reply:
January 2nd, 2011 at 7:40 pm
@Bill M., Yes.
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EJ Reply:
January 3rd, 2011 at 1:30 pm
@Bill M., yes. Anyone who has played the game competitively knows that different times in the game or season command different levels of intensity.
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i like Doughty dont gte me wrong but this year he been off alot of times he fit alright but soemthing is either bothering him or wrong because last year he was good this year making alot of rookie mistakes where the Doughty the Kings fans seen last season
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Thank you for this. The comments that Doughty is overweight are ridiculous. Have people seen him recently? The kid is fit, I don’t know what more they want from him.
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Dominick Reply:
January 2nd, 2011 at 5:04 pm
@markisonfire, Yeah, I addressed a few of the Doughty is a fat a** comments, but had to ignore them after a while because the same guy kept posting the same thing 10 different ways. Gotta hand it to him for persistance though.
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The out-of-shape suggestion fueled itself.
This should have been asked a month ago when Doughty’s reaction time and quickness was suspect at best, adding to the fact had had to re-take his NHL fitness test(really, Doughty?), and his shoddy play for the first two months of hockey(I realize he was concussed at one point, which could have had something to do with his play). He’s playing good now, so all is well. No more injuries please, thanks.
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USHA#17 Reply:
January 2nd, 2011 at 4:35 pm
@Chris P. Bacon,
I would like to see how he looks if he and Johnson were split up. I like the idea of Johnson, Martinez and Doughty on separate pairings.
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puck73 Reply:
January 2nd, 2011 at 5:12 pm
@USHA#17, I personally think Martinez, and Drewiske should be sent down for more seasoning when Mitchell returns. With the exception of Johnson and Doughty, I like defensemen with more experience. They should either use Harrold as the 6th d man, or trade for a veteran puck mover, preferrably someone who is at least 27 and has some playoff experience.
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Dominick Reply:
January 2nd, 2011 at 5:25 pm
@puck73,
I think alot of people have been hard on JJ and DD lately. I don’t think it’s been all that bad. The mistakes by both of them would happen no matter what pairing they were a part of.
JJ, it’s been mental errors, and DD it’s been coasting, and not skating. JJ still has the occasional goof, but is picking it up, and DD hasn’t been getting caught flatfooted and hauling players down as much.
Considering their age and the minutes they play, I’ve been O.K. with the occasional brainfarts. Maybe I’m the only one.
My only concern is that DD gets so many compliments like “Gifted from God” that he might not try as hard, relying on his talent and not giving 100% all the time.
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SplattDaddy Reply:
January 2nd, 2011 at 4:47 pm
@NOW IMPRESSED, Agreed and I think this also goes to what KingsFanFTW was asking, as to where is THAT DD we saw as a rookie. As a rookie, IMHO, he played as though he had to fight for his right to stay with the big club and now with a solid spot on the team that mind-set seems to have changed. I feel though, this current DD is going to find that fire soon and prove why he deserves all the accolades. Or even better…it’s a diabolical plan of his so he is a Monster for the playoffs…hhmm
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Bill M. Reply:
January 2nd, 2011 at 5:14 pm
@SplattDaddy,
Really, it’s a combination of all of it, I think. The mental pressure to follow up a Norris worthy season, and the extra attention he gets, etc. I saw my first of season in person last night, and it’s far more evident up close: I would say he gets an average of half the time of any other king before he has someone on top of him. This is especially true when he’s in an offensive role at the blue line. He almost doesn’t have time to do anything other than a one time pass or shot. The pressure is nearly instantaneous
The counter argument there is that all of the best face that pressure, and that the best of the best are just that, BECAUSE they overcome it. The improvement is already visible for him, and by the end of the season he should emerge as entirely unstoppable, regardless of how well he is covered.
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
January 2nd, 2011 at 5:22 pm
@Bill M., i say he not use to be a threat that someone has to be that close to him at all times before they wont go by him like he was a ghost he use that for that whole season and now they see him and he cant really do anything but he has to learn to get around them and try to hang in there and score or make the right play
It’s ridiculous to think that someone who spends as much time as Doughty does on the ice would be out of shape. Could he be in better condition? How are any of us fans supposed to know? The training staff, coaching staff and Doughty himself can only answer that. He’s a 21 year old going through body changes. I think it Murray is dead on saying he will evolve into a more solid, stronger player as he matures both physically and mentally. I don’t buy these rumors about him partying all of the time. Unless there is some secret spy who goes around following the kid, none of us know. I for one don’t hang out at the TSC or HB to see if he’s going to bars. I haven’t seen pictures of him taking body shots or partying in limos (hello, Kaner). So either he does a great job paying people off or it’s all bull.
He’s not a normal 21 year old, the team owns him during the season and pretty much tells him what to eat, when to practice, when to sleep and for all team mate accounts that guy loves his video games and sleep when he’s off the ice. He’s not a choir boy, I’m sure he gets into trouble, but I’m getting sick of all the stories where he’s playing horribly because he must have had a bender the night before or a tryst. He’s been able to drink since he was 18 in Canada. At 21 he’s probably got more focus on his job than most guys I knew at that age.
Admittedly, he is having an off year. Maybe after these comments from Murray we as fans can think about all of the other reasons he could be off. Defensive pairings being switched around to fit the injuries. Personally, I think the Doughty/Johnson pairing is always a high stakes risk outside of the PP. And why do we have Scuderi and Greener together? They’ve been great on the PK, but neither one is that forward minded. Break them up and give Johnson and Doughty the ability to move up without worrying about who will stay back to assist Quick.
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if the Coach is ok with less then 100% intensity from one of his best players…then maybe that is why we are inconsistent????? If it is ok with DD then its ok with everyone..right? “you pace yourself sometimes”…maybe too many players are pacing…..what if every decides that its time to pace themselves at the same time???
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wavesinair Reply:
January 2nd, 2011 at 5:25 pm
LOL! Too funny. That’s the way it is in all sports, not just hockey. They’re human beings, not robots.
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SuperSonic420 Reply:
January 2nd, 2011 at 5:39 pm
@neil,
Not everyone else is playing half the game tho.
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DLB Reply:
January 2nd, 2011 at 6:27 pm
@neil, you want to see everyone burn out before spring even arrives? Terry Murray believes in solid work ethic as much as anyone. He’s speaking realistically.
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Remember that opposing teams are playing DD alot closer now, specifically to shut him down. Just like DL mentioned about Kopi, he has to learn to fight through that extra attention. The numbers don’t have as much to do with him being lazy as him being keyed upon by opposing teams. Try skating 28.8 minutes against a team that has their entire gameplan taylored around shutting you down. He’ll learn to play through it, just give it time.
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crashin' da net Reply:
January 2nd, 2011 at 7:13 pm
@Dominick, Thsi is true when he is in the Oszone. However, lately he’s been getting beat and taking too many penalties. Maybe a slump of some sort but along with all of his good play, there seems to be more bad play lately. Let’s hope he “snaps the funk”.
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Kitzin scores.
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Doughty was, unquestionably, out of shape for the beginning of the season. He couldn’t skate anywhere near as fast as he used to. He couldn’t rush the puck up the ice effectively like he was able to do last season. He’s definitely improved recently. But his ice time has nothing to do with that. Anyone can play 28 minutes in a game. I’ve played 60 minutes of games before, 5 on 5, pickup games. And before you say oh you idiot that’s not like playing 28 minutes in the NHL, the intensity isnt the same, etc… that’s actually my point so you don’t need to say it. The # of minutes is meaningless because 28 minutes isn’t a long period of time, by itself. 28 minutes at max intensity is what would show great fitness, but I haven’t seen that from Drew Doughty. If the coach wants you to play 28 minutes, but you’re not fit enough to play 28 at a high level, are you going to tell your coach no? “No coach, i’m too out of shape, so I can’t go on this shift.” No, of course not. You don’t say anything. You go and play as best you can, thankful for the minutes. So don’t let the minutes fool you. The coach put him on the ice for 28 minutes, and he paced himself appropriately, just like any one of you could pace yourself for 28 minutes of ice time, or 60 minutes, or three hours. If you want a good barometer of his fitness, look at his speed, how he skates, how he rushes the puck up the ice. It was terrible to start the season. It’s better now, but he’s still not at 100%. He’s still not preparing himself like a professional. It’s very disappointing. He definitely hurt his team at the beginning of the year.
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markisonfire Reply:
January 2nd, 2011 at 7:12 pm
@Dillon, You’ve got to be pretty damn good to play 28 minutes a game in the NHL. You don’t coast in the NHL playing 28 minutes a game against the opposing team’s top opposition, all the while maintaining the 3rd best +/- on the team and being the 7th highest scorer.
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Dillon Reply:
January 2nd, 2011 at 7:18 pm
@markisonfire,
#1. It was 1 game that he played 28.
#2. When you say coasting, it’s like putting words in my mouth. There’s a negative connotation there. I never said coasting. You’re right, on defense, you have to play hard no matter what. But you have to remember, this particular game, the Kings had the puck most of the night. Now, on offense, for Doughty, playing at full intensity means rushing the puck up the ice at full speed, and regularly gaining the zone for your team. However, he didn’t do that. He did coast on offense. That means, once the Kings had the puck, he would quickly pass it to a forward, let them skate it up the ice, while he glided up behind them at half speed. That’s a big difference. If you watch Mike Green in Washington, he used to be great at rushing the puck up the ice for his team, back in 07-08. Now that he’s playing huge minutes, he almost never rushes it up the ice. He does the same as Doughty. He passes it off and just glides, conserving energy. Doughty did not play a difficult 28 minutes against San Jose. He’s still not in top condition. If you disagree just because he played 28 minutes one night, you have that right. I don’t have access to his fitness tests, or those types of things. All of this is just what I’m seeing based on his play. Nothing is scientific. Although, I do think basing an opinion off of his play, and what you see of him on the ice, is at least more accurate than basing it off of how many minutes he played in one game. Jack Johnson probably had a tougher game because he was the one actually skating and carrying the puck and making plays. That’s probably also why Jack Johnson is having a much better season offensively. Doughty is just as talented, more talented really, so if he was his normal self (i.e in top shape), he would be putting up more offense than Johnson.
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sid the kid Reply:
January 3rd, 2011 at 12:37 am
@Dillon, can’t say that i disagree with anything in this post. huge minutes racked up for DD in every game, but he’s a young man and has a fast metabolism. however, he is out of shape, and is often winded by his shifts. look at him from the middle of the second period and on–you will see fatigue on his face as he hops over the boards to come off the ice. his young age makes him able to play the minutes, but his lack of conditioning makes him tired to do it.
bulldog13lak Reply:
January 2nd, 2011 at 7:57 pm
@markisonfire, I agree DD is one of the NHL’s elite and to expect him to rush into the Ozone every shift is foolhardy to say the least. He is quarterbacking the play and as u know QBs dont always get into the play after he dishes the ball! On the other hand have you seen how many times we get caught up ice recently? I would prefer DD or JJ to hang back and coast when prudent. What has bugged me recently though, is our stick to stick passing. Phoenix showed us a thing or two about that, pretty to watch and frustrating for us, then the Flyers came in and showed us some more, they even received stick to stick passes from us!
All in all last nights game was a lot better and imho I think our forwards should take on some responsibility and not our D. Sometimes I see forwards, when they have the opportunity to clear the zone, circle back and then lose the puck, aarrgh! Drives me crazy! Also holding the puck too long waiting to see what develops instead of creating something and backing off their D.
Hope to see the Blackhawks off tomorrow, we need to come out hard against them after them losing to the Sucks tonite! Hapy New Year everybody and Go Kings Go!
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sid the kid Reply:
January 3rd, 2011 at 12:34 am
@bulldog13lak, exactly what i have been saying for a long time regarding both JJ and DD. they are not hanging back and being prudent. I say this because i believe in their minds, that they believe they are either forwards who play defense, or offensive defensemen. they need to take a page from…GULP…ODI’s book. i mean, really. say what you will about him, but he’s a solid defenseman when it comes to positioning. positioning and seeing the big-picture at all times must be a the forefront of a good D-man’s mind
Hey Rich, anything in the rumor regarding Ales Hemsky?
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At this time my concern about Doughty regard is shot. On the PP he seems incapable to take the big one timer. He always stop the puck and hesitate.
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sid the kid Reply:
January 3rd, 2011 at 12:32 am
@Jeff, this is a problem with everyone on the power play, except maybe JJ to a lesser extent. one-timers are non-existent on our PP
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Ummm so yea stick that in your “Doughty the doughnut downer” pipes and smoke it! Ha, Murray sure taught you all lesson!
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Anyone who has ever had a concussion, like Doughty suffered earlier this season will understand the time it takes to fully recover. Brain healing doesn’t happen in a few weeks in can take years, neural tissue is very fragile and repairs very slowly.
If I had to make any guesses why Doughty’s play has been kinda inconsistent or he seems to take penalties out of frustration, I would pin it directly on his injury early this season. I wish him a full recovery.
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“He’s such a gifted player that when you’re out in those situations, for those many minutes, you just learn how to play the game.”
this is a glimpse into TM’s mindset as it pertains to DD. he sees him as a gifted player who deserves ice time due to his young age, in order to develop him as a player so he can learn to play the game. on the ice. on the job training, so to speak.
is that what we want our coach to be doing during the middle of the season? giving young players ice time so they can develop and ‘learn how to play the game’?
get REAL. we need to win. not develop young talent on the ice during a game. that’s what the minor leauges are for–to develop young talent. when you lace ‘em up at this level, be ready to bring it full time, or risk being benched for poor performance
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Nyck Reply:
January 3rd, 2011 at 3:53 am
@sid the kid, I agree, big time. He’s been rewarded for his bad play all season, how is a young guy supposed to bounce back from bad play, when it’s almost encouraged?
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
January 3rd, 2011 at 8:06 am
@sid the kid, Proper punctuation and capitalization are good things.
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I have Watched DD through his Jr. Career and coming up as a youngster playing the sport he loves. The concussion he took a few months is his second, having taken one while he played Jr. with the Guelph Storm of the OHL. I am sure that this latest one has had quite the phycological effect on him as well, not wanting to get ‘blind sided’ again he’s probably feeling slightly gun shy and wary of who is around him. just like you cannot score from the penalty box, you are of no use to the team if you are injured. He is starting to pick up the points again, and I am sure, come playoff time, he will be right back in the thick of things
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I think it’s about time we talk about Doughty and his “problems”. What the greatest Kings defense man since Rob Blake has problems, No not him. Look, dude got nailed at the start of the season and that put him out for a few games. I mean that there shows us that the NHL is “keying” on him. Look he’s a young man who is still growing up in LA, of all places and plus now the kid is loaded with big bucks, and more big bucks are coming his way, regardless of how he plays this year. He averages 28 minutes a game, wonder how much a minute that is. Let’s not look at that, let’s look at how he has played. Last game in my eyes he cost us some good chances on tying up the game. Thus the reason why we are all on him in this blog. When are we as fans going to realize that our opinions on what the Kings do, who they play, and what lines go out there will never be heard by anyone with any pull in the Kings organization. Doughty is one of the faces of the franchise and he knows it. Kopi, Brown, And Doughty. Get used to it Kings fans. This is our core. What I think about Drew is this —-Kopi was the same way. People said that he wasn’t in shape and that he didn’t take the game seriously and it has taken him some time to mature into a good Kings player. Same with Brown. Drew is still learning and adjusting. Hopefully soon he will start clicking again and be the leader of our defensive squad. We need guys like Mitchell to mentor guys like DD and JJ and I would also say Greene these kids are young and this is a tough league, so get off their backs Let’s just beat the Blackhawks tonight. We need to at least get one game from them. Goooooo Kings……….
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Silly topic. I thought you were going to surprise me by saying there was something to it. Thanks for dispelling the myth.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
January 3rd, 2011 at 8:09 am
Oh, and people are forgetting this is a third-year player who got tagged for a concussion a few games into the season after being anointed God last season and being marked like God this season by other teams.
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Is TM’s Canadian bias in play here?
I can remember criticism of Kopi, POS, Fro, Boyle, and JJ for their fitness.
Maybe I’m wrong, but DD seems to get little public criticism of his play or fitness.
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