Drew Doughty Named Kings Captain as NHL Leadership Picture Takes Shape

Drew Doughty has taken the captaincy in Los Angeles, adding another familiar face to the NHL’s changing leadership map ahead of the new season. The Kings announced Doughty as captain on Sept. 16, placing the two-time Stanley Cup winner in the role after years as one of the club’s central voices on the blue line.

Los Angeles was one of three clubs to settle on a captain this week. Connor Bedard received the “C” from the Chicago Blackhawks, while Bo Horvat was chosen to lead the New York Islanders. Doughty now joins a Western Conference captain group that also includes Connor McDavid in Edmonton, Gabriel Landeskog in Colorado, Roman Josi in Nashville and Mark Stone in Vegas.

Sidney Crosby remains the league’s longest-serving active captain. He has worn the “C” for the Pittsburgh Penguins since May 31, 2007, a tenure that spans three Stanley Cup championships and nearly two decades as the face of the franchise.

Seven NHL teams are presently without a designated captain: the Anaheim Ducks, Boston Bruins, Columbus Blue Jackets, Detroit Red Wings, Ottawa Senators, San Jose Sharks and Vancouver Canucks.

NHL captains