Drew Doughty has missed three games courtesy of the crushing shoulder-to-shoulder check he received from Philadelphia’s Zac Rinaldo on Oct. 15, and it’s unlikely that Doughty will play tomorrow night. Doughty returned to practice this morning, but in a yellow no-contact jersey, and hasn’t yet been medically cleared to play, although by all indications he’s close. After tomorrow, the Kings take a road trip to Dallas (Thursday), Phoenix (Saturday) and Colorado (Sunday) and it seems fairly clear that Doughty will be able to play in at least two of those games, if not all three. Terry Murray’s philosophy has been to re-insert a player as soon as the player is cleared and says he’s ready to go. Today, Doughty indicated that he might want a couple full-contact practices first. Here’s what Murray and Doughty said after practice today…
MURRAY: “I was very encouraged to see him out there with the team today, as you see in a different color sweater, so there was no contact. That will probably be the way it will be for another few days.’’
Question: Is the plan for him to come on the road trip?
MURRAY: “I’d like to make plans for him to come along with us (and play).’’
Question: Would you like to see him get in some practices with contact before he plays?
MURRAY: “With contact? None. He’s doing all the work on the rehab side of it, with our training staff in the weight room. When he gets the green light on that part of it, he’s 100 percent and ready to go.’’
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And here’s what Doughty said about his status and recovery…
DOUGHTY: “Good. Getting better every day. I don’t know if I’m the lineup, or anything like that, tomorrow, but hopefully I’ll be coming back soon.’’
Question: Do you feel like you could play?
DOUGHTY: “Yeah, I do, but at the same time you don’t want to risk re-injuring it and making it worse or something like that. So we’re going to be cautious about it. It’s still early in the season and we’re winning right now. So, like I said, just be cautious about it and I’ll be back as soon as I can.’’
Question: How much has it improved in the last couple days?
DOUGHTY: “Huge. Every day, it’s got a lot better. That’s the biggest key to it. Everything is improved. Now it’s just about making sure it doesn’t get re-injured if I take a hit. Once I get cleared to play, I can’t wait to get back.’’
Question: Is there anything that’s uncomfortable to do?
DOUGHTY: “No, not really anymore. Every day it’s just got so much better and everything has started to clear up. In my mind, I feel like I could play tomorrow, but I probably shouldn’t at the same time. It’s kind of up to the trainers and up to the coaches right now, so we’ll see what happens.’’
Question: So if it was Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals, you’d be in there.
DOUGHTY: “Oh yeah, I’d be in for sure.’’
Question: But a Tuesday game in late October…
DOUGHTY: “No, maybe not. Like I said, it’s kind of out of my hands. I know how I feel and stuff like that, but the trainers know what they’re talking about too, and they’ve seen these injuries many times. Obviously I’ve got to listen to them, and whatever decision they make, I know they’re making the best decision for me.’’
Question: Would you prefer to have a couple practices with contact before you came back?
DOUGHTY: “Yeah, I think that’s something I definitely need, because you kind of need to test it before a game, before I get one cross-check and it’s not comfortable anymore. So I definitely need to get some practices in with some contact before I play, so that’s kind of why I’m thinking I probably won’t play tomorrow.’’
sounds like good news, i’m so glad we’re deep in defenceman so we can afford to let him take a couple more days off
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Dominick Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 7:31 pm
@Blake, It sure is nice eh?
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Well i hope “it” is ok soon
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No rush for Doughty to get back whatsoever. We’re 7 games into the season, Voynov is filling in nicely, and the team is winning…
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Question: Is there anything that’s uncomfortable to do?
well… yeah. But… uhhhh, I don’t really want to get into that here.
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brig33 Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 3:03 pm
@Helvetica, hahahaha
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So Drew wants practice with contact before a game and TM is saying no. Anyone else sees this as odd?
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 3:21 pm
@Kopi Bryant, Probably not. Drew is saying he wants to have confidence from the experience of practicing with contact after being cleared, and TM is saying he trusts that when his trainers say he’s ready to go, he’s ready to go.
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Kopi Bryant Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 3:35 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, Yeah I get what Murray is saying in that sense but ultimately I think you have to respect the player’s wish to test it out first in practice before you go all out in a game and risk the chance of re-aggravating the injury.
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Capt Jam Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 3:22 pm
@Kopi Bryant,
Not really. TM sees that DD is fit enough to play once he gets medical clearance.
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variable Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 4:00 pm
@Kopi Bryant,
i saw that, too…
(see DOMINICK’S post below)…
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Kopi Bryant Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 4:11 pm
@variable, lol… It seems like they are speaking 2 different languages.
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KC23 Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 8:37 pm
@Kopi Bryant, TM really has little to do with it. Its on the doctors and trainers actually.
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lol…
everybody has to refer to the area/injury as “it”…
are there really any secrets out there in cyberspace…?!
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Dominick Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 3:52 pm
@variable,
Better than the thing.
Did you take care of that thing?
What thing?
You know, the thing?
You mean the thing with Pualie?
Nooo! The other thing?
Ohhhh! you mean THE THIIIING?
Yeah! you know, the thing?
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variable Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 3:58 pm
@Dominick,
lol…
don’t talk about “it”…don’t look at “it”…don’t breathe towards “it”…
RICH’S Question to TM: Would you like to see him get in some practices with contact before he plays?
MURRAY: “With contact? None. He’s doing all the work on the rehab side of it, with our training staff in the weight room. When he gets the green light on that part of it, he’s 100 percent and ready to go.’’
__________________________________________________________________________________________
RICH’S Question to Drew: Would you prefer to have a couple practices with contact before you came back?
DOUGHTY: “Yeah, I think that’s something I definitely need, because you kind of need to test it before a game, before I get one cross-check and it’s not comfortable anymore. So I definitely need to get some practices in with some contact before I play, so that’s kind of why I’m thinking I probably won’t play tomorrow.’’
….(?)….
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variable Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 4:04 pm
@Dominick,
my dad talks like that and he’s not even italian…(!)
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Stuart Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 4:08 pm
@Dominick, I like the spaceghost version…
Hippo – “did you get that THING I sent ya’?”
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No rush for Dewey to come back so soon let him heal 100%.
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KiNGS 4 LiFE Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 3:18 pm
@KiNGS 4 LiFE, Meaning… theyre doing fine without him.
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RobSD Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 4:25 pm
@KiNGS 4 LiFE,
Exactly… he isn’t exactly Peyton Manning.
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“So if it was Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals, you’d be in there.” ?????? What kind of question is that? I don’t know DD8 however I do know he would be there if that was the case. This is hockey not baseball.
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Deke'r Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 3:45 pm
@PK, Yeah, I thought the question was pointless as well, would have gotten the same answer for game 1 of the SC playoffs.
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Did we ever find out what the injury was? – Bruised ribs?
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CB14 Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 4:00 pm
@KingsGuy, Judging by Rich saying a shoulder to shoulder hit, I’m gonna take a wild guess and say shoulder.
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Dominick Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 4:14 pm
@CB14, Could be the lower shoulder, but I’m guessin it’s the upper shoulder. There’s also the middle shoulder to consider when your talkin shoulder injuries.
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Stuart Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 4:18 pm
@Dominick, don’t forget it could be the inside or the outside upper/middle/lower…
CB14 Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 4:20 pm
@Dominick and Stuart, LOL!
KingsGuy Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 4:42 pm
@Dominick and Stuart, funny stuff. You also, forgot to mentioned Rotator Cuff
Shoulder injuries, are the worst… Ahh. Hope it’s minor! Very easy to aggravate.
Thanks for the reply -
Wow…even I’m a little uncomfortable so much is disclosed. They’re practically sending the message “cross-check Dewey in the _____” the next several games, and see if you can get him off his game.
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I say with the way the team is playing, and the fact that Voynov hasnt embarrassed himself or the team, I say take your time Drew and make sure you are 100% physically ready before you step back in. Lets be honest here, you gotta figure that some teams are gonna test Drew and see if they can knock him out of the game again, so why take any chances. And besides, as an organization we dont have to rush him back with the depth we have currently.
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kevin from toronto Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 3:45 pm
@puck73, Nevermind the fact that the Kings haven’t allowed a goal since Doughty hasn’t been in the line up… Just sayin!
Schenn vs Schenn tonight
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VanKingsFan Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 4:03 pm
@kevin from toronto, Did you see Philly’s line combinations? Thank you Dean Lombardi for our #1 line!
Schenn – Briere – Simmonds
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Daughty who????
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FKA PakiFro Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 4:04 pm
@the hockey don,
dOughty.
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No need to rush it $7 mil man. Voynov is doing well and he’s holding his own. DD needs to get back to 100% fully and be able to take a couple of good hits on that side before letting him in a game. Game 7 of the cup finals is a Way different story but it’s the beginning of the season and Voynov’s doing fine. No need to injure it more so he can’t play in the playoffs. Take your time and get a real 100% before getting in there.
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CB14 Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 4:01 pm
@Hat trick, Agreed.
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Prongner to a follow thru on a shot, left the ice. The stick came right up in his eye. I hate that guy, but i would’nt wish that on anybody. Hope its not permanent.
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@Rich Hammond,
Did you ask Doughty about Heidi?
I’m kidding, of course?
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Dominick Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 5:59 pm
@Kingsfanone, No your not.
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Kingsfanone Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 6:02 pm
@Dominick,
Tee hee!
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I was thinking (Don’t panic).
If, or rather when Drew comes to the road trip, couldn’t we keep Voynov in there as well? You know, maybe limit Doughty’s minutes to ease his return or something? I know this is pretty much nonsense and he’ll play half an hour in his first game, but I was just thinking. Is the roster full or could we fit in one helluva good russian defenceman in there?
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Make Doughty a forward!
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nykingfan Reply:
October 25th, 2011 at 5:02 am
@Eldoret,
and you the coach! lol
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I hope Dough$y pays attention to what he is doing on the ice when he comes back!!!!
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Hmmm, 5 “home” games in November, plus Frozen Fury, and I have yet to see Drew play in person this season. I’ve never looked forward to a Kings/Panthers regular season match-up so much….
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kingswings Reply:
October 25th, 2011 at 9:20 am
@kingswings, Oops, meant “October”, not November. But, if Drew stays healthy, we’ll be seeing him ALOT in November! Nine home games, plus I’m thinking about making the games in San Jose & Anaheim. So excited!
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