Doughty fractured ankle

[ross10019]

Doughty undergoing surgery and is listed as month to month

Surgery for broken ankle (fibula) means wasn’t a clean break and will need plate and screws, not a surprise given the way his left ankle buckled severely on impact with the boards - in my case (also hockey-related) took 5-6 months to get back on the ice, but that’s for a 50+ beer leaguer. My guess is 2-3 months for Doughty, likely closer to 2 because he’s a crazy warrior type AND I’m sure he thinks he can still be picked to play in the 4 Nations.

[rtstr]

Clarke has exactly 16 games of NHL experience so not sur how you can say that for sure ... he played under 24 minutes on PP in NHL with 3 assists. Yes he got huge hype and got some skills but he needs to prove it at NHL level and for team aspiring for playoff spot handing PP duty to guy with limited experience like that is quite unlikely imo. Could happen out of necessity but quite unlikely.

Of course, nothing that any of us says can be said for sure, but in terms of player type theyÂ’re very different. Clarke is the exact image of a PPQB in todayÂ’s game. So itÂ’s logical to predict that their roles in the NHL will play out accordingly. I donÂ’t think itÂ’s unlikely at all for a blue chip rookie to see PP1 time, in fact itÂ’s almost the norm now. ItÂ’s not like heÂ’s 18.

Spence is no slouch though so it will be interesting. Just strikes me as more of a two way middle pairing guy in the NHL. Clarke has Calder upside this year and Norris upside in the next 10 if he stays on the trajectory heÂ’s shown.

[IRSlotsFull]

So for those who love numbers:

LA Kings have 4 weeks with only 2 games:
Week 7
Week 9
Week 12
Week 13

After consulting a surgeon (in family & also a Doughty fantasy owner in another league) with the available info on the injury; they think the fracture is without a more complex tissue damage in tendons & ligaments (which would take longer to heal).
My extrapolation is that LA's 'mid season slump' of a schedule helps his return - can test the waters in weeks their games are low (around week 7 with good results, or 12 with a little more R&R).

Meantime - Clarke locked up in my league (damn) so I'm going after Mikey Anderson who I hope will be a bigger part of the 5v5 (but it's multi cat so he was on my radar already).

Goodluck ya'll!

[pmorrow]

Kings practice today

PP1 Clarke
PP2 Spence

[kovalchuk17]

Kings practice today

PP1 Clarke
PP2 Spence

Excellent, thank you. Just what I needed to see to not burn an add on Spence just yet.

Hope Brandt has a good shot also to rack up sogs. He will need to show the team he deserves to stay on that spot from the getgo while also not leaking chance after chance at evens.

[ross10019]

So for those who love numbers:

LA Kings have 4 weeks with only 2 games:
Week 7
Week 9
Week 12
Week 13

After consulting a surgeon (in family & also a Doughty fantasy owner in another league) with the available info on the injury; they think the fracture is without a more complex tissue damage in tendons & ligaments (which would take longer to heal).
My extrapolation is that LA's 'mid season slump' of a schedule helps his return - can test the waters in weeks their games are low (around week 7 with good results, or 12 with a little more R&R).

Meantime - Clarke locked up in my league (damn) so I'm going after Mikey Anderson who I hope will be a bigger part of the 5v5 (but it's multi cat so he was on my radar already).

Goodluck ya'll!

There is a recent report that there was indeed tendon damage and it’ll be 10-14 weeks.

[IRSlotsFull]

This preseason takes a heavy toll…
Thanks for the update (even if it’s bad news).

Still hoping he becomes a big week 14 kick going into the back half of the year and playoffs (with LA’s schedule no longer facing any speed bumps). Only thing fortunate for me is he slotted as my 10-11th keeper (depending what you think of forsling) - but losing 1/12 in the preseason with the awkward hit/fall/turn into the boards…

IR slots going to be full before even getting to draft night.

[The Comish]

If you're like me and have kept Dough Boy on IR all season, time to start thinking about making room on your roster!

From Fantrax:

Expected to return on Sat Jan 25 - Injured Reserve - Long-term.

Doughty (ankle) was working in a regular sweater Wednesday and will travel with the Kings for their upcoming five-game road trip, Dennis Bernstein of The Fourth Period reports.

Analysis
Doughty looks close to making his 2024-25 season debut, though the team hasn't provided a specific day he will be back in action. Still, it seems likely the veteran blueliner will suit up at some point during the upcoming trip since he is traveling with the team. Once back in the lineup, Doughty should reclaim a spot on the power play in addition to being a top-four option.