Gann Matsuda of Frozen Royalty attended the 2010 NHL Entry Draft this weekend. Here’s his in-depth analysis of Kings’ first-round pick Derek Forbort.

LOS ANGELES — At the 2010 National Hockey League Entry Draft, it became clear early on that the Los Angeles Kings’ draft philosophy had taken a significant detour from what had been their standard operating procedure.

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.

In order to get their hands on Forbort, the Kings sent the 19th overall pick in this year’s draft, along with a second round pick (59th overall), also in the 2010 draft, to the Florida Panthers in exchange for the 15th overall selection.

Forbort, 18, a native of Duluth, Minnesota, scored four goals and contributed ten assists for 14 points in 26 United States Hockey League games that his NTDP team played in. Overall, Forbort scored five goals and added 23 assists for 28 points in 65 games.

Forbort also played in the 2010 Under-18 World Championships, recording two assists and a +9 plus/minus rating in seven games, helping lead the United States to a gold medal. In 56 games with the U.S. Under-18 team, he scored five goals and added twenty assists for 25 points.

Possessing a good combination of size, strength and agility, Forbort is a good decision-maker and a good passer, but needs to work on his puck-carrying skills and grit.

Read the rest on Frozen Royalty

The Los Angeles Kings added five players to their organization this weekend at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. Playing as hosts to the other respective 29 teams in the NHL at Staples Center, Dean Lombardi and his peers in the front office made sure to be active, racking up four trades to move ahead in order to snag three of their five prospects. The NHL draft is a bit different from those of other professional sports leagues, where immediate impact of the player drafted is seen quite often. With the majority of the draftees continuing their careers at the collegiate level, or on the junior hockey stage, it is very difficult to predict the outcome of the selections. Teams rarely base their picks based on position, since growth and maturity to the NHL is such a long, difficult process. The best player on the board will be taken, especially past the first round. The Kings have the money to spend on a premiere left winger during the off-season, so building the defense with use of their first pick in Derek Forbort (Right) was a very sensible selection. Below I’ll have notes on Derek Forbort and the other four draft selections for the Los Angeles Kings in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

Dean Dealing: Kings General Manager Dean Lombardi was active in the trade market this weekend, making four trades. Three of the deals allowed the Kings to move up on the board in order to make selections. Another trade gained a third round selection for the Kings in the 2012 Entry Draft. Here’s a quick run-down on the transactions:
*Kings trade 19th and 59th overall picks to Florida for 15th overall pick
*Kings trade 49th and 109th overall picks to Colorado for 47th overall pick
*Kings trade 79th overall pick to Toronto for a third-round selection in 2012 NHL Entry Draft
*Kings trade 169th and 199th overall picks to Atlanta for 148th overall pick

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Derek Forbort – 1st Round, 15th Overall
United States Development Team
Defense – 6’5″ 198
The Kings already have a young core of defensemen. Drew Doughty and Jack Johnson are thriving and developing into premiere players with the help of the veteran presence with the big club. Forbort is only 18 years old, but there is no reason to rush his progress. With 2007 1st round selection Thomas Hickey still developing in Manchester with the Monarchs, both players won’t be ready for the stage in Los Angeles until Johnson and Doughty become young veterans. The upside of the defense outlook for the Kings future is sky high. Not to mention, Forbort will be attending North Dakota to play for the Fighting Sioux, Matt Greene‘s alma mater. I’d expect a lot of dialogue and advice coming from Greene, which is spectacular for Forbort’s experience at North Dakota. I love the pick, and so does The Hockey News, who tweeted the following: “L.A. trades 19th, 59th picks to FLA for 15th, take D-man D. Forbort. Kings could have league’s best blueline in 5 years.” What can’t you not like about this selection?
Grade: A
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Tyler Toffoli – 2nd Round, 47th Overall
Ottawa 67′s of the Ontario Hockey League
Center – 6’0″ 178
The Kings acquired Toffoli by jumping up on the board. LA’s 49th and 109th overall selections were traded for Colorado’s 47th pick. Coming off of his second season with the Ottawa 67‘s, Toffoli recorded 79 points with 37 goals and 42 assists. Not a big player, but is said to make up for it with his effort. A two way offensive threat with a quick release and superb accuracy, Toffoli knows how to read the ice and has showed his ability to create and finish plays.
Grade: B-
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Jordan Weal – 2nd Round, 70th Overall
Regina Pats of the Western Hockey League
Center – 5’10″ 162
Weal is the only player the Kings didn’t make a move up on the board to acquire. Coming off of his second season with the Regina Pats, Weal recorded 102 points with 35 goals and 67 assists. Touted by scouts as a player who “beats the odds” with his small stature, Weal led the Pats in points as their smallest player. His playing style is compared to that of Jason Blake, with his great movement in the offensive zone and the ability to finish plays with flare. Another small center taken, but has showed his ability to make that a non-issue.
Grade: B
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Kevin Gravel – 5th Round, 148th Overall
Sioux City Musketeers of the United States Hockey League
Defense
6’4″ 185
An 18 year old defenseman with a season in the NAHL and USHL respectively, Gravel is a stay-at-home defenseman but also has shown glimpses of offensive ability. There’s no question he needs plenty of work, growth, and experience. His name probably won’t pop up with Kings fans for a few years to come. Gravel is said to be great with his stick in the defensive zone, along with his quick foot movement and quick instinct with the puck.
Grade: B-
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Maxim Kitsyn – 6th Round, 158th Overall
Metallurg Novokuznetsk of the Kontinental Hockey League
Left Wing
6’2″ 194
The Kings traded their 169th and 199th picks to the Atlanta Thrashers to move up to 148 and snag Kitsyn from the board. At 19 years old with two years of experience in the KHL, Kitsyn and his agent are in the works of backing out of the remaining three years of his current contract with Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Kitsyn hopes to play major junior hockey next season. Ranked 6th overall among European skaters, Kitsyn’s fall in the draft was due to his rough season in the KHL. Out for two months with an injury, Kitsyn only recorded one goal and one assist in 21 games.
Grade: C

Now that the Stanley Cup has been awarded (congrats, ‘Hawks!), the next thing we have to look forward to is the NHL Awards in Las Vegas. Normally, as Kings fans, we wouldn’t really care because no King ever gets nominated for an award. Last year, Chris made the case that the Kings needed some more trophies. This year, young Drew Doughty has a shot for the Norris Trophy. Here’s Gann Matsuda’s case on why Doughnuts should get that award.

LOS ANGELES — With the Chicago Blackhawks winning the 2010 Stanley Cup on June 9, the 2009-10 National Hockey League season is over and attention now turns to the league’s annual awards, which will be presented at the Palms in Las Vegas on June 23.

LA Kings defenseman Drew Doughty could become the second-youngest player to win the James Norris Memorial Trophy on June 23, 2010.
Photo: Rich Lam/Getty Images
Perhaps the most interesting race for the awards will be for the James Norris Memorial Trophy, awarded to the league’s best defenseman during the regular season.

The finalists are Chicago’s Duncan Keith, Mike Green of the Washington Capitals and Drew Doughty of the Los Angeles Kings.

Green, 24, led all defenseman in goals, assists and points with 19 goals and 57 assists for 76 points. He ranked tenth league-wide in assists, led all defenseman with ten power play goals, ranked second among defensemen with a +39 plus/minus rating and was second among blue liners with four game-winning goals and ninth in time on ice per game (25:28).

The 26-year-old Keith also had solid offensive numbers, scoring 14 goals and adding 55 assists for 69 points. Among defensemen, he ranked sixth in goals, second in assists and in points, ninth in plus/minus and second in ice time per game (26:55).

Among NHL defensemen Doughty, 20, ranked third in overall scoring with 59 points on 16 goals and 43 assists, second in goals, fifth in assists, and eleventh in plus/minus (+20). He tied for second in power play goals among defensemen with nine and ranked first with five game-winning goals among the blue liners. League-wide, Doughty ranked thirteenth in ice time per game (24:58).

Read the rest on Frozen Royalty.

Not necessarily earth-shattering news but LA Kings forward prospect Geordie Wudrick and defenseman Niclas Anderson were not signed by the Kings and are no longer part of the organization. Following the announcement, Kings Nation let out a collective “Who?”.

Drafted in the 3rd round (88th overall) of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, Geordie Wudrick as a tough 6’4″ winger who became a fringe fan favorite in his first development camp. Injury kept Wudrick out of training camp this past season however. With the emergence of Wayne Simmonds, Kyle Clifford and Brayden Schenn, there’s not much of the future for Wudrick in the organization. Wudrick is now eligible to be drafted this year. I wonder where he goes.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen Niclas Anderson beside a few grainy photos on Google. Drafted in the fourth round of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, Anderson has stayed in the Swedish Elite League to hone his skills. Given the defensive depth in Los Angeles, there was no place for Anderson in the lineup. It’s another Dave Taylor/Al Murray draft pick gone awry.

Let’s face it, if you bet against these guys at a sportsbook, you wouldn’t be walking away with any money. I know there’s a few of you out there who thought Wudrick could be a Dustin Brown type but it ain’t happening with the Kings. We have enough depth in the organization that we can live without him. As for Anderson, does anybody really care?

It’s the summer guys, what kind of news were you expecting?

Great interview with Washington DC lawyer David Benowitz on Mark Hardy’s arrest for indecent sexual contact. via Surly & Scribe

The Fourth Period takes a look at everybody’s favorite Russian (no, not Ovechkin) and if the Kings should sign him. via The Fourth Period

Will Alexander Frolov go to the KHL? via Frozen Royalty

Rich Hammond caught up with LA Kings assistant GM Ron Hextall on the wingers in Manchester (part of a series). viaLA Kings Insider

Finally, the fine folks at KingsCast bring you a 5-part roundtable with the most respected names in local media that cover the team. Check out Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 and Part 5.

There was a lot of video from the fine folks at Kings Vision. Check it out below.

Dean Lombardi appeared on XM Radio’s NHL Live.

Drew Doughty appeared on XM Radio’s NHL Live.

It’s no real shock that Alexander Frolov will not be a Los Angeles King next season. His time with the team is over. Here, Gann Matsuda of Frozen Royalty gives his take on the enigmatic winger and his possible destination.

COMMENTARY/ANALYSIS: Winger Alexander Frolov likely has a little over five weeks left with the Los Angeles Kings before heading elsewhere to continue his playing career…this should come as a surprise to no one.

LOS ANGELES — For all of you Alexander Frolov fans out there, I regret to inform you that his days with the Los Angeles Kings are very, very likely over.

On May 26, Kings President/General Manager Dean Lombardi appeared on Neilson and Chase In the Morning on Edmonton Sports Radio Team 1260 in Edmonton, Alberta. When asked about Frolov, Lombardi said that he was not optimistic about being able to re-sign the enigmatic winger.

“When you talk about building today, it’s certainly different from prior to the lockout,” said Lombardi. “You really get tied in with, ‘Do you like the player?’ Yes, but do you like him at ‘X’ price? Because you now have to get the right price, if you’re going to be able to keep your core together. So would we like to keep him? Yes, but if the price is prohibitive and maybe would prevent us from filling other holes and making sure we keep [defensemen Drew] Doughty and [Jack] Johnson and all these kids coming through, then you have to walk away.”

“I’m not too optimistic, given what he’s looking for,” added Lombardi, who went on to say that Frolov’s salary demands exceed his actual value in the National Hockey League, but added that one cannot blame a player for being attracted by the ungodly sums of tax-free money that the Kontinental Hockey League in Russia is throwing at players, and you can bet that the KHL is doing whatever it can to get Frolov to play back home.

One thing that Lombardi’s comments on the Edmonton radio show revealed was that nothing has changed since earlier in the season in terms of his stance on Frolov or in terms of the salary Frolov is seeking from the Kings and, presumably, other NHL teams that might be interested in his services when he becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

In fact, it appears that Lombardi has not budged one bit from his position held earlier in the season.

“Our problem under this new system [with the salary cap], is OK, I can’t pay you as a forty-goal scorer,” Lombardi said in a January 2010 interview with Frozen Royalty (see “Alexander Frolov Creates Dilemma For Dean Lombardi). “I’m not sure I can pay you as a thirty-goal scorer. I like you, even if you stay the same, I think I can win a [Stanley] Cup for you in this role. But if a player has to get X amount of dollars, he has to fill [the] role [that fits that dollar amount].”

“That’s the quandary as a manager—there was an article today about all the guys making $9 million,” Lombardi elaborated. “If you’re making $9 million you have to be the leader, you have to carry the ball, score—you have to be everything.”

Read the rest on Frozen Royalty.

As always, we hope you find the content we provide for you here at KingsCast to be entertaining and worth while. If you like something, why not Like it on Facebook or re-Tweet it. Thanks for spreading the love! Here’s some of the latest LA Kings news from around the blogosphere:

Eulogy: Remembering the 2009-10 Los Angeles Kings by Earl Sleek of Battle of California via Puck Daddy.

The IIHF World Championships are starting in Germany. The question here is does anybody really care? via Battle of California.

Excellent analysis from Quisp: What to expect from Kings’ 19th or 20th overall pick via Jewels from the Crown.

The Manchester Monarchs (the Kings farm team) are having a decent playoff run. Here’s some insight via the Mayor’s Manor.

Keith offers you a few suggestions on what to do during a summer when the Los Angeles Kings are playing hockey via KingsCast.

The Los Angeles Kings sent out a survey this week to the fans. Here’s a breakdown via Jewels From the Crown.

Making a case for Ilya Kovalchuk (a good one I might add), via Surly & Scribe.

Our favorite Ice Girl, Ice Captain Debbie runs the emotional gamut now that the Kings season is over via Hockeywood LA.

Jack Johnson was just named captain of Team USA for the IIHF World Championships. Here’s Rich Hammond’s evaluation of Jack this year (part of a continuing series) via LA Kings Insider.

We’re going to be talking about Alexander Frolov until he’s no longer an LA King on July 1st. So let’s get into it via Hockeywood LA.

Are Kings fans becoming Raider Nation? via View From My Seats.

Did we miss something? Leave it in the comments…downstairs.

When you’re a Los Angeles Kings fan, summer’s can be a long drawn out affair filled with other hockey teams playing for the Stanley Cup, re-playing the entire Kings season on your Xbox in Rookie mode and just lamenting on that simple phrase: “what if…”. We know, it sucks. We feel it too. That’s why we have, for you, some simple things that you can do to occupy your summer and get ready for next season…in October.

1. Read a Book – If you’re a crazed hockey fan who lives it day-in, day-out, there are a ton of great books out there that you can read. Check out Playing With Fire by Theo Fleury (Amazon Affiliate link). Read about the sex-crazed, drug-addicted boozer who tore up the National Hockey League for years. I challenge you to sit down on a Sunday afternoon and put the book down (you won’t be able to). Another great one is Gabby: Confessions of a Hockey Lifer by Bruce Bodreau (Amazon Affiliate link). You remember Bruce: a former head coach of the Manchester Monarchs and recent Jack Adams Award winner for the Washington Capitals. It’s an incredibly insightful book about a guy who lives and breathes hockey. He’s probably reading something as well at this moment.

2. Get Acquainted with Your 2010 Draftees – I know, in years past it was easy. You only had to get to know five or six guys because the Los Angeles Kings have drafted in the top five for the last three years. Fortunately, the time has passed for us to draft a “savior”. As of right now, the Kings will draft either 19th or 20th overall. So get yourselves familiar with players like Stanislav Galiev, Riley Sheahan and Tyler Pitlick. And, no, Dean Lombardi is not trading up to number one overall just because the draft is in Los Angeles.

3. Visit Toyota Sports Center – When it’s hot and the sun is shining and you’ve survived a month without a mention of Kings hockey, you can often get the shakes. That’s why it can be refreshing to throw on some shorts (maybe a jersey) and head on over to the LA Kings practice facility. We did. You can go inside, watch the midget Kings and scout potential standouts for the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.

4. Detoxify Your Liver – If you watch our show, you know that in those red plastic cups we drink from resides enough hard liquor to kill most of the sober population. We suggest that cramp on your left side isn’t just a cramp, it’s your liver crying for help. We suggest now is the time to give it some help. Have a glass of water. Drink some cranberry juice. Switch to beer. But, for saftey’s sake, perhaps 11 shots of Jagermeister in the middle of the summer is not going to get you healthy for training camp. Curb it.

5. Or You Can Just Get a Life – It’s the summer. The Los Angeles Kings are scattered across the globe relaxing, golfing and not thinking about hockey. Maybe you should too. If you’re marking the days off of your calendar until training camp starts, you might have a problem.

Then again, KingsCast will be here all summer with new shows and blogs. Yeah, we pretty much suck too.

So what do you do to keep your mind off of Kings hockey?

Keith Korneluk a the co-host of Overtime by KingsCast. Friend him up on Facebook and follow him on Twitter. This pleases him.

After some interesting fan interaction at the Kings playoff games, Keith posted a blog on a View From My Seats entitled Are Kings Fans Becoming Raider Nation? So hop on over and leave your thoughts!

LOS ANGELES AND EL SEGUNDO, CA — With Game 4 of their Western Conference Quarterfinal playoff series against the Vancouver Canucks coming up tonight (April 21, 7:00 PM PDT at Staples Center), much of the focus has been on the Canucks’ inept penalty-killing, which has allowed seven power play goals on just twelve chances after three games.

The result: the Canucks are looking up at a 2-1 series deficit with a huge challenge ahead of them…fixing their penalty-killing woes.

But the problem for the Canucks is not just their penalty-killing. More to the point, their problem is two-fold and they go by the names Drew Doughty and Jack Johnson, the young studs on the Kings’ blue line.

Indeed, the twenty-year-old Doughty and the 23-year-old Johnson are still very young, relatively inexperienced defensemen. But in the three games played in this series they have totally outclassed the Vancouver blue line corps, contributed huge minutes in situations where they were called upon to shut down the Canucks’ top forwards, and they have been unstoppable on the power play.

Throughout the regular season, Canucks forwards Henrik and Daniel Sedin proved to be a deadly forward combination, with Henrik attaining superstar status after leading the league in scoring with 29 goals and 83 assists for 112 points in 82 games.

But through three playoff games against the Kings, the Sedin twins have combined for just two goals and four assists for six points.

Neither has scored a power play goal.

If you find all that hard to believe, you are not alone. Nevertheless, solid defensive play by Kings center Michal Handzus, who has gone up against the Sedin twins as often as Kings head coach Terry Murray can get him on the ice, along with Doughty’s smart defensive zone play, have combined to put a huge clamp on the Sedin twins.

Read the rest on Frozen Royalty.