While you can't blame the LA Kings for trying to keep their payroll under the salary cap, their public refusal to pay Drew Doughty a penny more than Anze Kopitar is both ridiculous and stupid. Do a poll of NHL GMs and ask which player they would rather have, Doughty or Kopitar, and at least 95% of them will say Doughty guaranteed. He is far more valuable than Kopitar, who at $6.8M per season is arguably over-paid. Yes, Doughty slipped from 59 PTS in 2010 to 40 PTS last season and he has yet to lead his team to the 2nd round of the playoffs; but this kid has an elite skill set and a very bright future. He was the best defenseman on Team Canada's gold medal squad in Vancouver on the highest stage against the world's best competition. Also, which side disclosed the "not a penny more than Kopitar" sticking point? I don't see how making it personal benefits team chemistry.
If the Red Wings signed Doughty to an $8M per season offer sheet, I would be ecstatic. Players of his skill level, size, and poise are very rare indeed.
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