Los Angeles Kings and Drew Doughty negotiation process could last till September –NHL offseason Update
Everybody who was keeping up-to-date with the Drew Doughty and Los Angeles Kings situation suspected that the whole process would take a while, but not as long as latest reports suggest. According to sources, it could take up until September until both parties
reach a deal, that is if they reach one at all.
After Steven Stamkos, Zach Parise and Shea Weber, Drew Doughty is most certainly the last major name remaining on the restricted free agents list still awaiting a fresh contract after their previous deal expired on July 1.
“I think he’d be happy to stay if we agree upon terms that are acceptable to him”, Don Meehan, one of Doughty’s representatives said nearly two weeks after the free agency began. “And those are our instructions, to negotiate with L.A. on that basis to secure
something that he’d be happy with”.
Earlier it was thought that Doughty was looking for a salary raise and countering his demands, Los Angeles were ready to keep him for another nine-years at more than $6.5 million per season, which would equal $58.5 million in total, but it is strange as
to why there is still delay in sticking a deal.
Drew Doughty, a 21-year-old defenseman and a former second overall pick in the first round of the 2008 National Hockey League (NHL) Entry Draft, has established himself as one of the leagues’ top defenders, which is one reason why negotiations can go the
way he wants.
Since Doughty is just coming out of his entry-level contract, he was not eligible to appeal for a salary arbitration hearing; otherwise it is most likely the London, Ontario, Canada native would have done so without second thought.
Last season, Drew Doughty managed to score 40 points (11 goals, 29 assists) in 76 games and a plus-minus rating of 13, which was less than his previous season, but then again, he also did not play the full season.
His second year during the 2009-2010 season was a career high time for him as he put up 59 points (16 goals, 43 assists) in all 82-games.
Hopefully for LA fans, Doughty will strike a length deal to keep him with Kings before the new season starts.
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