2010 LA Kings Draft Pick Derek Forbort (1st Round)

I doubt there was any Kings fan who walked into Staples Center on Friday night for the first round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft expecting Dean Lombardi to draft a defenseman. With a lack of pure-scoring wingers in the system, no mock draft had Lombardi taking a blue-liner. But, in typical Dean Lombardi fashion, he went the other way trading up four spots to draft 6’5″ defenseman Tyler Myers Derek Forbort from the US Development Program.

International Scouting Services had Frobort ranked 10th overall and when he dropped, Lombardi knew he had to trade up to get his guy. Frobort had an impressive Under-18 World Championship scoring two assists and posting a plus-nine rating. Many scouts said that Derek Forbort has the most talent of any prospect in the draft.

Minnesota native Derek Forbort is known as a strong smooth-skating two-way defenseman whose offensive game is just starting to develop. In 26 games in the US National Development program, Forbort had four goals and ten assists for 14 points with 26 penalty minutes. Forbort himself states that he tries to model his game after Chris Pronger. Forbort will start the 2010-2011 season in the NCAA at the University of North Dakota (a development powerhouse).

Dean Lombardi stated that Forbort’s two to three years away from making the big club. If he continues to develop, there’s no telling where Forbort’s ceiling is. With a very stocked farm of defenseman, this allows Lombardi to deal from a position of strength when it comes to acquiring offensive-minded wingers.

One of the startling facts about Derek Frobort is his favorite “pump-up song” according to NHL.com is Michael Jackson’s Man in the Mirror. Ummm, all right.

Keith’s take: I love this pick. Sure it wasn’t California native Emerson Etem or another winger with top-six potential but this guy has such a potential to be a stud. If he develops his offensive game and his toughness, the Kings will be even harder to play against. He loses a point due to his choice of “pump-up” song. Seriously? Man in the Mirror?Grade: B+

Chris take: We should have taken 6’7″ Tyler Myers two years ago instead of Colten Teubert. We didn’t. Now we get Tyler Myers 2.0. I’ll take it. Grade: A-

Heidi Androl of the Los Angeles Kings talks with the newest Kings Derek Forbort:

Post-draft press conference: