Drew Doughty Isn’t Ready to Retire Just Yet, and He Has One Goal in Mind

Drew Doughty isn’t ready to call it a career just yet. In fact, as the Los Angeles Kings defenseman approaches his 37th birthday on Dec. 8, retirement still feels a long way off.

Doughty, a 19-year NHL veteran, finds himself in the final year of his eight-year, $88 million contract. But while the end of that deal brings questions about his future, Doughty believes he still has plenty left in the tank. 

“I think I can play until over 40,” Doughty told NHL.com’s Tom Gulitti. “I believe I can. I’ve just got to stay healthy. The want to do it hasn’t dropped, so, until I lose that, I’m not going to retire.”

For Doughty, the goal is simple: finish his career on his own terms, and ideally, do it all in Los Angeles.

The Kings selected him No. 2 overall in the 2008 NHL Draft, and he has since become one of the franchise’s greatest players, winning two Stanley Cups and a Norris Trophy while spending his entire career with the organization.

With general manager Ken Holland hoping to sign him to an extension before he becomes an unrestricted free agent in July 2027, Doughty has made it clear he’s willing to be flexible to make that happen.

“I feel like I’m performing better than I have in my past two seasons. So, I think that I’ll take a team-friendly deal and stay in L.A. That’s my plan,” Doughty said.

And what’s keeping him going at this stage of his career? The answer hasn’t changed.

“The Stanley Cup, that’s what motivates me,” he said. “I love being around my teammates. When I retire, I’ll be crying like a baby, I’ll tell you that much. I just love the game of hockey. I love the families that we create in hockey, and I love the competition the most. And to try to get a Cup.”

At nearly 37, Doughty knows the end will come eventually. But as long as the desire is still there, he has no plans to let the game go.