Hockey's Future end-of-season Calder Poll

3. Drew Doughty, D (LA)

6’1, 203 lbs. DOB: Dec. 8, 1989

Acquired: 1st round, 2nd overall in 2008

Although Doughty was unable to be the spark to lead the Los Angeles Kings into the playoffs, like Mason in Columbus and Ryan in Anaheim, his play for the rebuilding team was just as impressive. One of a handful of 2008 draft picks to step directly into the NHL, the role Doughty played in Los Angeles was closer to what you would expect from a 10-year veteran in the league than a teenage rookie.

Doughty's stat line is respectable, missing just a single game all season and posting six goals and 27 points to come in second among Kings defenders. But when looking closer, Doughty's position as a workhorse on the blue line becomes abundantly clear. He led not only all Kings players, but also all rookies in average ice time with 23:49 minutes per game, over two minutes more than the second place player in both lists. He saw time in all situations, coming in fourth among NHL rookies in both average shorthanded minutes and average power-play minutes. The Kings may have finished 14th in the Western Conference and 26th in the league, but in Doughty, they have a rock on the blue line to build around.

via Hockey's Future end-of-season Calder Poll - Hockey's Future.