With the Olympics just over a week away, NHL players are gearing up to represent their countries on the international stage for the first time since 2014. The LA Kings are sending five of their own to the Games: Adrian Kempe (Sweden), Kevin Fiala (Switzerland), Joel Armia (Finland), and two key names suiting up for Team Canada - Drew Doughty and Darcy Kuemper.
Let’s break down what Doughty and Kuemper bring to the table for a Canadian squad loaded with talent and expectations.
Drew Doughty: Veteran Presence in a New Role
Drew Doughty knows what Olympic gold feels like. He was a vital piece of Canada’s blue line back in 2014, playing with poise and purpose as the team locked down Sweden in the gold medal game. But 12 years later, the landscape - and Doughty’s role - looks very different.
Now 42 games into his current NHL season, Doughty has tallied 3 goals and 10 assists. Those numbers aren’t eye-popping, especially by his own high standards, and with Canada’s defense corps stacked with younger, high-impact talent like Cale Makar and Josh Morrissey, Doughty’s ice time may be more limited this time around.
But don’t mistake “limited” for “irrelevant.”
Doughty’s value in this tournament won’t just come from what he does on the ice, but how he carries himself off it. He’s one of the few players on this roster with Olympic experience - and not just experience, but winning experience.
That kind of leadership is gold in its own right. While Makar and Devon Toews are expected to anchor Canada’s top pair, Doughty could be a stabilizing force on the third pairing or in situational minutes, especially when the stakes rise late in games.
He’s not here to be the guy - he’s here to help the guys. And for a team with gold medal aspirations, that kind of leadership and depth can make all the difference.
Darcy Kuemper: The Steady Hand in Net
Darcy Kuemper heads to the Olympics as one of three goaltenders on Team Canada’s roster, joining Logan Thompson and Jordan Binnington. Through 33 games this NHL season, Kuemper has put together a solid campaign: 13 wins, 2 shutouts, a 2.56 goals-against average, and a .902 save percentage. He’s been the Kings’ go-to netminder, and he’s shown he can handle the pressure that comes with that role.
Looking at Canada’s goalie trio, the early signs point to Logan Thompson getting the nod as the starter. Thompson’s numbers - 18 wins in 37 games, a 2.39 GAA, and a .914 save percentage - give him the statistical edge. Kuemper slots in as a reliable backup, with the ability to step in and hold the fort if needed.
Then there’s Binnington. While he helped Canada win the 4-Nations tournament earlier this year, his NHL season has been rocky: just 8 wins in 29 games, a 3.57 GAA, and a .868 save percentage. Based on current form, Binnington looks like the third option.
For Kuemper, this is about being ready. Olympic tournaments are short and intense - one bad outing from a starter can change the depth chart overnight.
Kuemper’s calm demeanor and experience as a starter make him a valuable insurance policy for Canada. If he gets the call, he’s more than capable of delivering.
Canada’s Depth Could Be Its Secret Weapon
Neither Doughty nor Kuemper are expected to be the headliners for Team Canada - but that’s exactly what makes them so important. In a tournament where every shift matters and the margin for error is razor-thin, having experienced, reliable depth is a luxury most teams can’t afford.
Doughty brings Olympic pedigree and the kind of leadership that doesn’t show up on the scoresheet but resonates in the locker room. Kuemper offers stability in net and the peace of mind that, if needed, Canada has a proven starter waiting in the wings.
As the Olympic puck drop nears, all eyes will be on the stars. But don’t be surprised if it’s the steady hands - the veterans like Doughty and Kuemper - who help guide Canada through the grind of tournament play and toward another shot at gold.