Doughty: I floated interest in Leafs so Kings 'didn't try to screw me'

Drew Doughty famously negotiated his eight-year, $88-million extension with the Los Angeles Kings in the offseason without the help of an agent, and he apparently picked a solid tactic to land a deal to his liking.

Last offseason, the London, Ontario native admitted his interest in signing with the nearby Maple Leafs. But ahead of Monday's contest against Toronto, the former Norris Trophy winner admitted it was mainly a ploy to get the Kings to pay up.

"I was an L.A. Kings fan since I was a little kid, and I've always wanted to be here. I wanted to show my loyalty to the club and try to stay here forever," Doughty told reporters, per Sportsnet. "I kind of always knew I was going to stay here, but I just said that (Leafs) stuff in the media just to kind of make sure (the Kings) didn't try to screw me."

He added: "I obviously considered (signing with Toronto), but it wasn't like a serious consideration. I had to wait another year - this whole season - before any of that stuff could start happening."

Related - Leafs' Matthews tried to recruit Doughty during ASG: 'He didn't bite'

The 28-year-old defenseman and two-time Stanley Cup champion is one of the game's top blue-liners and would have commanded significant interest had he reached free agency.