"Heavier in the wallet, and lighter on the ice …

Kings defenseman Drew Doughty, proving again that you can be richer and thinner, was getting reacquainted with his usual line of work in El Segundo on Friday afternoon after signing an eight-year, $56-million contract with the organization.

Before a quick session on the ice, Doughty met with a handful of reporters and disclosed that he is 203 pounds, about seven pounds under his usual playing weight.

Now back to those other, well, important numbers, more meaningful than the Kings' 3-1 victory against the Ducks at Honda Center on Friday night.

Though Doughty is the Kings' highest-paid player — by average annual value — teammate Anze Kopitar will receive more in actual payments over the next five years, by design. The first five years of Doughty's deal are worth $33.3 million to Kopitar's $35.6 million.

"I didn't plan being back home in London [Canada] for that long," the 21-year-old said. "I had a lot of stress going on. The season was approaching. I was counting down the days till the season started.

"At first, I didn't want to miss camp, either. I'm not happy that I had to go through all that. But it's done and I'm happy I'm here. I apologize to all those who had to patiently wait for me to get here."

Count Kings Coach Terry Murray among the patient ones."