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Kings’ Kopitar and Doughty Distancing Themselves From NHL Field

In a league built on change, one Kings partnership has set a record that defines loyalty, leadership, and a golden era in Los Angeles.

by
Brent Bradford
January 13, 2026

While catching up on After Hours during Hockey Night in Canada this past Saturday, fans saw a milestone that—honestly—just feels incredible. Anže Kopitar and Drew Doughty have officially played in 1,217 NHL games as teammates. And they aren’t finished. With every puck drop, they’re putting more distance between themselves and the old forward-defenseman benchmark of 1,107 games, held by Detroit legends Kris Draper and Nicklas Lidström.

A Bond Built in Silver and Black

The Kings drafted Kopitar and Doughty just three years apart—Kopitar was picked eleventh overall in 2005, and Doughty followed as the second overall pick in 2008. Since then, they’ve been the literal heartbeat of Los Angeles for nearly two decades. That unique chemistry was a major part of the engine behind the 2012 and 2014 Stanley Cup rings.

Reflecting on a Shared Legacy

In a recent sit-down with Scott Oake and Louie DeBrusk on Hockey Night in Canada’s After Hours, Doughty was quick to point out his captain’s “even-keel” vibe. Thinking back on their time together in Kings’ jerseys, Doughty commented about the prospect of life without Kopitar, especially since the captain confirmed this 2025-26 season will be his last:

“It’s going to suck… He’s the last guy that, you know, I won the Cups with… I played every single year with him, and at most times played every single shift with him… I’m going to be sad… and it’s going to be weird showing up for camp next year without him…”

More Than Just a Number

In today’s NHL, where players change jerseys constantly, being 110 games ahead of the next closest duo is a total anomaly. It shows a rare, old-school commitment to a single franchise. As Kopitar continues his final lap, this record stands as proof of the health and grit needed to stay “Kings for Life.” For Kings’ fans, 1,217 (and counting) represents the absolute gold standard for loyalty—and that number keeps climbing with every single puck drop.

Through their time together in Los Angeles, the unbreakable bond between Kopitar and Doughty has come to help define what hockey connections are all about. They’ve cemented their legacy as the ultimate NHL duo.

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