Kings activate Drew Doughty, place Dustin Brown, Olli Maatta in COVID protocol

Defenseman Drew Doughty exited the NHL’s COVID protocol, but the Los Angeles Kings added right wing Dustin Brown and defenseman Olli Maatta to the list Sunday, per a team tweet.

In a corresponding move, the team assigned center Alex Turcotte, the fifth-overall selection in the 2019 NHL Draft, to the taxi squad. Centers Quinton Byfield and Phillip Danault as well as goalie Cal Petersen remain in COVID protocol.

Doughty’s faced multiple injury and health concerns this season, but he’s been extremely productive for the Kings when in the lineup. He’s averaging 24:49 per game and has 13 points through 11 contests, and his return to the lineup will be hotly anticipated.

Brown has just four goals through 30 games, and Maatta has struggled to stay in the lineup this year. It’s still a hit to the Kings’ depth. They’ll likely miss the Kings’ next three games and are eligible to return on Jan. 6 against the Nashville Predators.