Kings defenseman Drew Doughty could return to action next week

Sorry if it’s starting to sound a tad repetitive: Another injured Kings player reported improvement, and this time it was defenseman Drew Doughty.

Doughty missed some time earlier in training camp because of an undisclosed upper-body injury that he sustained during the summer.

“Everything is good. No problems,” Doughty said after practice on Saturday in El Segundo. “Good to go whenever.”

The definition of “whenever” can be flexible.

“I’m sure it’s going to be soon,” he said. “I don’t know exactly. I haven’t talked to anybody about it. I’m sure if I’m not in on Sunday, then I’ll be in hopefully on Tuesday.”

Based on the groupings in practice, it won’t be Sunday at Anaheim against the Ducks. Doughty was in the smaller, second group, along with a couple of other teammates recovering from injuries, center Jarret Stoll and goalie Jonathan Quick. Also with the second group were center Anze Kopitar and forward Dustin Brown. Their linemate Marian Gaborik was not on the ice, apparently given a “maintenance day,” the team said.

The likes of Jeff Carter, Dwight King, Mike Richards and Justin Williams were with the first group, an indication they probably would be playing on Sunday.

For Doughty, the tough part was earlier in camp. He was off the ice a week or so.

“It’s not that bad [now],” he said of waiting to get into a game. “It was frustrating when I wasn’t skating and all the guys were skating in camp and I wasn’t able to partake in that. That’s when it was really bothering me.

“But missing exhibition games, as much as I’d kind of like to get in a few, to get in my groove again, as long as I get two or three, I’ll be fine. So I’m not too worried about it.”