from Eric Duhatschek of the Globe and Mail,

“A lot of people don’t see what we go through as hockey players every single day,” Doughty explained in an interview as the Kings made a quickie trip through Western Canada that lands them in Winnipeg Tuesday. “It’s mentally draining. It kills you. There are times you can’t sleep. There are a lot of things on your mind at all times. Mentally, we needed [a break] big-time, and I think all of us benefited from it.

“We weren’t happy with the result – of not making the playoffs – but it was good for our team in the end. We’re refreshed. We’re hungry to get back in the playoffs, and hungry to win the Stanley Cup again. Yeah, we’re excited for the season – to show the league and the fans that we are still one of the top teams in the league.”

The Kings had a slow start – three consecutive losses – which led some to conclude that they were over, done in by an off-season of departures from their leadership group.

Gone are defencemen Slava Voynov, who left to play in Russia, and Robyn Regehr, who retired; forwards Justin Williams and Jarret Stoll, who left as unrestricted free agents; and centre Mike Richards, who was charged with possession of a controlled substance and was bought out of the remaining years in his contract.

The Kings have asked Doughty and centres Anze Kopitar and Jeff Carter to take on added, more active roles in supporting team captain Dustin Brown, and it appears as if they’re managing it just fine.

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