Doughty getting closer to his preseason debut

Drew Doughty, who was unable to participate in on-ice activities at the outset of training camp due to an upper-body injury suffered during a summer on-ice training session, offered an encouraging appraisal of where he stands in his attempt to return to game action.

“Everything’s good,” he said. “No problems, so I’m good to go whenever.”

He didn’t say when he expects to play, though Darryl Sutter has previously said that the team will utilize a group comprised more heavily of experienced players during the three-game road trip that will take the team through San Jose, Colorado Springs and Las Vegas.

“I’m sure it’s going to be soon. I don’t know exactly,” Doughty said. “I haven’t really talked to anyone about it, but I’m sure if I’m not in on Sunday, then I’ll be in hopefully on Tuesday.”

Given that he was part of a smaller practice group on Saturday, it’s unlikely that he’ll play against the Ducks in Anaheim on Sunday night. After the San Jose game on Tuesday, the Colorado Springs and Las Vegas games will pit Los Angeles against the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday and Saturday.

Doughty estimated that the injury kept him off the ice for roughly one week, which meant that it would have happened towards the end of the off-season.

“It’s not that bad,” he said. “It was frustrating when I wasn’t skating and all the guys were skating in camp and I wasn’t able to partake in that. That’s when it was really bothering me. But missing exhibition games, as much as I’d like to get in a few to kind of get in my groove again, as long as I get two or three, I’ll be fine, so I’m not too worried about it.”

He has no concerns about weathering any contact once his name is listed on Sutter’s lineup card.

“No, I’m good to go. Good to play. I think it’s just being safe and making sure I’m perfectly ready to go when the time comes, and I will be.”