The Los Angeles Kings and Drew Doughty have agreed on an eight-year contract extension.
The deal cannot be signed until July 1, when Doughty is a year away from free agency.
“Drew Doughty is one of the best defencemen in the world and we are obviously excited to have reached this point in the process in which he has committed to the Kings long-term,” Kings vice-president and general manager Rob Blake said in a statement. “This is great news for our organization and our fans and we will comment further once the contract has been signed and formally announced.”
The 28-year-old has spent his entire professional career with the Kings since being drafted second overall in 2008.
He won the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s top defenceman in 2015-16 and has played a big part in each of Los Angeles’ Stanley Cup victories in 2012 and 2014.
The London, Ont., native had 10 goals and 60 points this past season and has 102 goals and 422 points in 770 career NHL games.
Doughty has also won gold representing Canada at two Olympic Games, the World Cup, and the world juniors.
Sportsnet’s John Shannon is reporting that the average annual value of Doughty’s extension will be worth just shy of $11 million.
[relatedlinks]
