Practice 1/24 – Doughty “challenged” in practice + Latest on 8/14 & Dad’s Trip energy

Practice Day, Columbus edition!

The LA Kings were on the ice today in Ohio after flying across the country yesterday. Such has been the preferred approach for the Kings, to get the extra day heading East. One day to travel, get acclimated and then a full-team practice when available. Last season, the Kings were not able to get that routine and came out flat against the Blue Jackets, falling 3-0 down before ultimately rallying for a 4-3 overtime win. This season, the schedule is more of the preferred approach.

For today’s skate, the Kings were on the ice for around 45 minutes at Nationwide Arena, skating on the practice sheet attached to the main rink.

In terms of alignment, here’s what we saw from the group this afternoon –

Turcotte – Kopitar – Kempe
Foegele – Byfield – Moore
Fiala – Danault – Thomas
Jeannot – Helenius – Lewis – Laferriere

Anderson – Gavrikov
Edmundson – Spence
Moverare – Clarke
Englund – Burroughs – Doughty

Kuemper / Rittich

Doughty and Laferriere both made the trip, which is a positive sign for both. No sense in bringing them at the start if they weren’t at least a possibility to play. Hiller said on Wednesday that he is optimistic regarding Doughty. I would classify him on that day more as hopeful with regards to Laferriere. Doughty appears to be the closer of the two, skating in a full-contact jersey today for the second time, while Laferriere progressed out of the red jersey for the first time since he was injured in Edmonton. So, good signs on both players.

They’re progressing along. There was no confirmation one way or the other with regards to Doughty’s status for tomorrow. Today was a really positive step forward for him, taking part in today’s practice without limitations. Naturally, there’s now the reaction to today. How does he feel, how’s the potential soreness, any issues? Doesn’t appear that there were any, but it’s not always immediately known.

I’d say this – There certainly feels like there is at least a chance we could see Doughty tomorrow against Columbus. It’s not a guarantee and I’m not sure I’d say it’s probable. But it wasn’t ruled out either and that is something to note. In fact, for today’s skate, while everyone was involved, Jim Hiller actually said that a lot of the practice was tailored around Doughty and challenging him a bit in certain ways.

With nine defensemen on the ice, including Doughty, repetitions were fewer, so Hiller and his staff structured certain drills to have more skating for the defensemen than they might usually have. With Doughty approaching a return to the lineup, the Kings wanted to put him in uncomfortable situations today. Hiller said that clearly. They wanted him skating and they wanted to assess where he’s at. Certainly doesn’t sound like a player who is too far off from a return, does it?

“To be honest with you, we did design a couple drills to challenge Drew a little bit, to get up to pace on a good practice versus our guys,” Hiller said today. “I know we had a short practice in between the two games but it really wasn’t a high-paced practice. [Today], lots of up and down for the D, defending the rush and stuff like that, so part of it was just to try to really get him as quickly as possible back up to speed.”

A lot of times, what’s best for the team and what’s best for a player coming back like Doughty are at odds. Today was a rare day when everything aligned. This became a really important day for Doughty. By all accounts, he handled it well and we head in tomorrow awaiting word on his status for tomorrow evening.

Should tomorrow be the day, the excitement around Doughty’s potential return is palpable, as noted with several teammates yesterday.

“On the ice he’s a hell of a player, everyone knows that, but being around him in the locker room, when you’re injured, you’re not around the boys as much as you want to be, so having him on the roadtrip, just having him in the dressing room it’s been great,” defenseman Joel Edmundson added today. “He’s full of life, he’s got that laugh that makes you want to laugh and he’s one of the big leaders on our team. When we put him back in the lineup, it’s going to be a big boost.”

For Laferriere, Hiller said that he hasn’t been out nearly as long, so there is less concern there. In terms of being off the ice, Laferriere really hasn’t missed much time at all, skating on the last trip on his own and then again with the full team earlier this week. So, he shouldn’t require a ton of time to get back up to speed.

Hiller also noted a palpable energy among the group today and for good reason – dad’s trip!

This is arguably the most grinding time of the season for the Kings. For any team, actually, but I think even more so right now for the Kings. It’s late-January and it feels like they’re on a 12-game roadtrip, with two trips of five games and ten days in length separated by just two games and four days at home. In normal times, yeah, these are the dog days of the season. Certainly did not feel like it today, though.

“It’s probably the only reason why [energy is high], I think it’s a tough stretch for us with 10 days gone, quick trip around,” Hiller said. “To hear that kind of energy can only be one thing and that’s the fathers. Of course they get to benefit by being on the trip and seeing what their sons do, but I think really, [the players] benefit and we benefit as an organization from having that energy now.”

In speaking with defenseman Mikey Anderson after today’s practice he talked about the extra energy the dads brought to the group. They were around the team all day, taking part in morning video meetings and the whole group went to a team event together after practice. On the trip when you might expect the least energy, the Kings had as much as I’ve seen in a long time. Consider that the dad effect.

“I think it helps having the dads around right now, everyone’s excited,” Anderson said. “Having them here beings a little more energy to the room. Today was a good day and everyone’s excited to keep going.”

Ultimately, we’ll see if the dads being here can help spark the Kings as they progress into their longest remaining trip of the season.

Perhaps it can be a boost, as Hiller alluded to. We’ll see tomorrow.

“It’s got to translate into the game, because there’s a lot of extracurriculars that come with the father’s trip, but I think it’s good for both sides,” Hiller added.

Should have a good idea on Doughty’s status for tomorrow’s trip opener come the morning. Will have full updates here as we approach tomorrow evening’s tilt with Columbus! Much more on the dad’s trip to follow as well! Scott Burnside is with us in Columbus and Detroit for more of a behind the scenes look at the dad’s trip activities.

Now that the dads have their gameday fits ready to go, we can officially kick off the Dads Trip!!! pic.twitter.com/hD3VaOy19s

— LA Kings (@LAKings) January 24, 2025