Doughty (ankle) will make his season debut against the Panthers on Wednesday, George Richards of FloridaHockeyNow.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Doughty has been sidelined since sustaining an ankle injury in training camp, but he worked in a regular sweater at practice last week and has been cleared to make his season debut on the road Wednesday. Doughty appeared in all 82 regular-season games for the Kings last year and logged 15 goals, 35 points, 142 blocked shots, 109 hits and 44 PIM while averaging 25:48 of ice time. It's possible that the Kings monitor his playing time slightly following his lengthy absence, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him reclaim a prominent role soon.

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.

EDGE 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.

Head coach Jim Hiller said Monday that Doughty (ankle) has been progressing in his recovery and "sees the finish line," Zach Dooley of the Kings' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Doughty has been on long-term injured reserve since the start of the regular season after he underwent ankle surgery in early October. It's not yet clear when he'll be able to return to game action, but Hiller's comments are encouraging and suggest that Doughty is getting closer to his season debut.

Head coach Jim Hiller said Tuesday that Doughty (ankle) has resumed skating, Zach Dooley of the Kings' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Doughty underwent ankle surgery in early October and has been on long-term injured reserve since the start of the regular season. While Hiller said Tuesday that Doughty is still "a ways away," the 35-year-old blueliner took a significant step in his recovery process by resuming skating. It's possible that Doughty will be in the mix to return to game action sometime in January.

Dennis Bernstein of The Fourth Period reports that Doughty (ankle) is aiming to return to action in early January as long as there are no setbacks in his recovery.

EDGE Analysis

Doughty was seen leaving the arena without a walking boot after the Kings' 5-2 home win over the Senators on Saturday. It was the first time the right-shot blueliner has been seen without a walking boot since being around the team, Bernstein relays. When healthy, Doughty should retain his spot on the top pair and No. 1 power-play unit. Brandt Clarke hasn't looked out of place filling in for Doughty on the man advantage, though, which could allow the Kings to ease the latter back into his usual workload.

Doughty (ankle) was moved to long-term injured reserve Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

The decision to put Doughty on LTIR shouldn't come as a surprise considering he is currently month-to-month following ankle surgery. Without the veteran on the blue line, Jordan Spence could be tasked with a significantly bigger role this year, including running the No. 1 power-play unit. Whenever Doughty does return, however, he should immediately reclaim that spot with the man advantage.

Doughty (ankle) was placed on injured reserve Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Doughty is considered month-to-month following ankle surgery. He sustained a fracture during the preseason, and an exact timeline for his recovery remains unclear. The 35-year-old defender accumulated 15 goals, 50 points, 135 shots on net, 142 blocked shots and 109 hits in 82 games in the 2023-24 regular season. Jordan Spence, Kyle Burroughs and Brandt Clarke could see increased roles during Doughty's absence.

Doughty, as previously announced, had surgery to repair his fractured ankle and is considered month-to-month, Zach Dooley of the Kings' official site reports Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Doughty's status remains unchanged, but he at least has now had his procedure and should be on the road to recovery. At this point, it wouldn't be surprising to see Doughty out of action until the calendar turns to 2025, though the team hasn't provided a specific recovery timeline. Without Doughty on the blue line, Brandt Clarke should see increased minutes in addition to getting power-play opportunities. Doughty figures to be designated for long-term injured reserve once the season opens.

Doughty will undergo surgery to repair a fractured ankle and is month-to-month, the team announced Friday.

EDGE Analysis

The loss of Doughty can't be overstated for the Kings. He's a massive part of their blue line, averaging 25:48 of ice time last season, including 3:15 with the man advantage. He had 15 goals, 50 points, 44 PIM, 109 hits and 142 blocks across 82 regular-season appearances in 2023-24. With Doughty out for an extended period, Jordan Spence might serve on the No. 1 power-play unit while the 21-year-old Brandt Clarke might begin the campaign as a member of the top four.

Doughty sustained a fractured ankle in Wednesday's preseason matchup, Eric Stephens of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Team doctors are still evaluating Doughty, so it's unclear what his exact timeline might be at this point, but he will likely face an extended stint on the shelf. The veteran blueliner's absence will create a significant gap on the Kings' blue line, one that is not likely to be filled by a single player. It's the 23-year-old Jordan Spence who could benefit the most if he can secure his spot on the No. 1 power-play unit in Doughty's absence.