Kings’ Drew Doughty wants to be LA’s captain after Anze Kopitar retirement

It’s the end of an era as Anze Kopitar has retired, and the Los Angeles Kings will need a new captain. Drew Doughty, another longtime player  who has been an alternate captain for 10 years, has put his name in the running to become the new captain, according to Dan Greenspan of NHL.com.

“I’d love to be captain of this team. It’s something, I guess, when I was younger, (it’s) something I never thought of. And I grew into a leadership role, and now it’s something I cherish, and it would mean the world to me to be a captain,” Doughty told Greenspan.

It was a bittersweet ending, as the Colorado Avalanche swept the Kings, eliminating them from the Stanley Cup Playoffs. While it was not an ideal ending, the legacy of Kopitar endures. That means there will be a new captain next season, when the Kings attempt to run it back.

It was not a great season for Doughty, who tallied just five goals and 18 assists over 72 games. Though he is two seasons removed from 50 points, his injury may have affected his play. Regardless, Doughty will likely return to the Kings. Many believe he will retire for the Kings, but Doughty could be trade bait if the team looks to rebuild.

Doughty has spent his entire 13-year career with the Kings. Significantly, he has led them to two Stanley Cup victories. While it is the end of an era for his teammate, Doughty will carry on. The likelihood of him becoming captain is strong, as he attempts to take over for Kopitar and lead the Kings back to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Until then, he will work hard in the offseason to get ready.

The post Kings’ Drew Doughty wants to be LA’s captain after Anze Kopitar retirement appeared first on ClutchPoints.