Drew Doughty Update + Kings Recall Austin Strand from AHL-Ontario

Good Afternoon, Insiders.

A couple of quick notes to share, in advance of tonight’s game against the Blues.

First, an update regarding Drew Doughty – Early indication on his injury is that there is no ligament damage, however he will require further imaging when the Kings return to Los Angeles in a few days. Beyond that, speculation is just that, speculation.

Doughty left yesterday’s game with what was deemed a “lower-body injury”, stemming from a leg-on-leg check by Dallas defenseman Jani Hakanpaa. It was reported earlier today that Hakanpaa will not receive any supplemental discipline for the incident.

Told that Jani Hakanpää will not have supplemental discipline for kneeing Drew Doughty, as he did not extend his knee in any way and kept his same position throughout the hit.

— Matthew DeFranks (@MDeFranks) October 23, 2021

Secondly, the Kings have recalled defenseman Austin Strand from the AHL’s Ontario Reign. As reported earlier today, Olli Maatta will check in on the backend tonight for his season debut, with Strand taking his spot as the seventh defenseman at the moment.

Strand, 24, joins the Kings in St. Louis after registering two points (1-1=2) in four games with the Reign. Last season, the 6-3, 216-pound blueliner made his NHL debut with the Kings on Feb. 5 in Las Vegas and registered one assist (0-1=1) and a plus-2 rating in 13 regular-season appearances.

Strand, who scored the game-winning goal for Ontario last night against Bakersfield, is meeting the team here in St. Louis, giving the Kings an extra option on the backend, though he is not expected to play tonight.