Doughty eyes 4 Nations: 'I don't want to break, I want to play'

Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty wants to represent Canada at the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off instead of taking more time off the ice.

"I'm still hoping I have that outside chance to play in 4 Nations," Doughty said Sunday. "I don't want to break, I want to play. So, we'll see what happens."

Doughty hasn't suited up this campaign since fracturing his ankle during preseason. The 35-year-old represented Canada at the 2010 and 2014 Olympics and the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

A spot on Team Canada's blue line opened up Sunday after Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo withdrew from the 4 Nations Face-Off. Pietrangelo cited tending to an injury and preparing for the rest of the regular season as his reason for pulling out of the tournament despite recording 24:22 of ice time in Sunday's 4-1 win against the Florida Panthers.

Doughty posted 15 goals and 50 points in 82 games in 2023-24 while averaging the second-most ice time in the league behind Washington Capitals blue-liner John Carlson.

The veteran said he hopes to see big minutes soon after returning to the Kings' lineup.

"I'm not gonna play nine minutes or something like that, or I don't want to, anyway," Doughty said. "I don't think that's what they want. That's why I'm not necessarily playing right now, because they want me to come in and be able to play close to 15, 20 minutes. And then eventually keep increasing from there.

"I know when I get out there, I'm gonna be looking over my shoulder (at head coach Jim Hiller) being like, 'I'm ready to go out for another shift.' But yeah, that's part of the reason. They want me 100%, ready to be able to have the minutes, and be able to play the way I need to play."

Los Angeles has six games left before breaking for the 4 Nations.

The Kings rank third in the Pacific Division with 26-14-6 record.