A Sign Of Progress For LA Kings: 2010 First Round Pick Derek Forbort

DRAFT COVERAGE: Frozen Royalty’s coverage of the Los Angeles Kings and the 2010 National Hockey League Entry Draft, held in Los Angeles for the first time, on June 25-26, 2010, continues with an in-depth look at their first round selection, defenseman Derek Forbort. Check back on Monday, June 28 for a look at the rest of the Kings’ draft picks during rounds 2-7.

LA Kings 2010 first round pick Derek Forbort speaks to the media at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft at Staples Center in Los Angeles on June 25, 2010.
Photo: Gann Matsuda

The last few drafts have seen Kings President/General Manager Dean Lombardi use his picks, especially the higher round selections, to go after prospects who might be able to contribute at the NHL level sooner rather than later.

But with the 2009-10 Kings making the playoffs for the first time since 2002, and with the franchise poised to take the next step towards becoming a Stanley Cup contender, the Kings now believe they can be more patient in terms of young prospects they bring into the fold, and that was evident right off the bat with first round selection Derek Forbort, a 6-5, 198-pound defenseman out of the United States Under-18 National Team Development Program. Read more of this post