The Los Angeles Kings will be without star defenceman Drew Doughty for at least a week because of an upper-body injury.
The Kings confirmed that the 20-year old would not be traveling with the team to Phoenix for Thursday night's encounter with the Coyotes, and general manager Dean Lombardi would not disclose what the injury was.
Doughty suffered the injury late in the first period of Wednesday night's game against the Carolina Hurricanes when he was hit hard by 'Canes forward Erik Cole. Doughty was forced to leave the game and did not return.
While there had been some speculation that Cole would face possible supplemental discipline for the hit, the NHL feels the collision was more accidental or incidental as opposed to intentional and will not seek any further punishment for Cole.
Doughty, a London, Ontario native, who was nominated for the Norris Trophy last season, has one assist in five games so far this year.
That's Hockey's Gino Reda asks on Twitter: "The Kings say Doughty will be out for at least a week. We need your input. Intentional? Or incidental contact?" Your responses on That's Hockey Thursday at 7pm et/4pm pt on TSN2.
