Statue4Deano
Super Star
I say yes.
Prediction:
80 GP 12 G 34 A 46 P 24:30 TOI
Prediction:
80 GP 12 G 34 A 46 P 24:30 TOI
I like it, but if he is averaging that many minutes something is wrong. For Doughty to be optimal he needs to average under 24 minutes (preferably under 23).I say yes.
Prediction:
80 GP 12 G 34 A 46 P 24:30 TOI
I doubt it for a reason. He isn't likely to return to the DD of old and it's to be expected, so the rest of you more optimistic folks can go ahead. Until he can prove it and make me eat crow for the next coming season, I'm not holding my breath.
Doughty had back to back 50 point seasons before his major injury in 2024. If he comes to camp healthy and in good shape I think he’ll be back to a 1st pairing D man.I doubt it for a reason. He isn't likely to return to the DD of old and it's to be expected, so the rest of you more optimistic folks can go ahead. Until he can prove it and make me eat crow for the next coming season, I'm not holding my breath.
If Brandt Clarke can eat into some of those minutes I won’t complain. But if Hiller/King are giving those minutes to Cody Ceci then it’s going to be a long season.I like it, but if he is averaging that many minutes something is wrong. For Doughty to be optimal he needs to average under 24 minutes (preferably under 23).
There is no doubt that Doughty is older and he’s also coming off a significant injury. We cannot discount any of that.I don't know, in 23-24 season he netted 15+35 in 82. Last season's injury wasn't very bad from a longevity standpoint (fractures heal much better than ligaments) - in fact, in a way he was resting for half a season, which could actually be a boon long-term.
If the team proves good enough to be near the top I also can't see his motivation dropping.
He's not THAT old and worn out yet. Scott Niedermayer played until 37 at a very high level with 26+ min TOI till the very end and retired "early" (IMO he could've played for a season or two more at a very high level).
I know we give DD a lot of flak for his contract, but he's still a key piece of this team and wants to win. If he retired today, the Kings can basically wrap it up and start rebuilding immediately.