"The Kings gave in financially to gain a long-term commitment from defenseman Drew Doughty, reaching agreement Thursday on an eight-year, $56-million contract that will make him their highest-paid player by average annual value.

Doughty, 21, is scheduled to undergo a physical at the team's El Segundo training facility Friday and sign the contract that will make him the NHL's third-highest-paid defenseman by average salary.

"Let's go win some Cups," said Tim Leiweke, chief executive of AEG, the Kings' parent company. "We just spent more money this off-season than it cost to buy the team. We are committed.""