Kings Article: LA Kings D Prospect Derek Forbort Now Taking Big Steps Forward

[FrozenRoyalty]

LA Kings D Prospect Derek Forbort Now Taking Big Steps Forward

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[deeshamrock]

LA Kings D Prospect Derek Forbort Now Taking Big Steps Forward

I'm rooting for him to make the club, he's turning 24 next yr and the only player from the 1st round in 2010 that hasn't played in the NHl yet.
He seems to be working hard on various areas of his game and gaining confidence certainly helps there.
I have a feeling that Ehrhoff's signing may affect Forbort's tenure next year. I hope not, I think this is the time for him to move up to the NHL.

 

[FrozenRoyalty]

I'm rooting for him to make the club, he's turning 24 next yr and the only player from the 1st round in 2010 that hasn't played in the NHl yet.
He seems to be working hard on various areas of his game and gaining confidence certainly helps there.
I have a feeling that Ehrhoff's signing may affect Forbort's tenure next year. I hope not, I think this is the time for him to move up to the NHL.

Pretty much zero chance of him making the Kings' opening night roster since he isn't subject to waivers yet.

 

[bob77]

I think the plan will be to have him get lots of ice time this year. They will balance this with how much they truly feel they need him up on the big club vs. just getting more minutes in the AHL. If his minutes were to rise while on the Kings, then you don't see him going back down too much. A lot will have to do with injuries, and where the Kings have him on their depth chart. I can say this, it'll be a shame if he's not at least given a shot. We know what the others look like, McNabb, McBain, Schultz, even Ehrhoff to some extent. Because Forbort's game in the AHL is not flashy, he's not going to be one of these players that you think is tearing it up in the AHL both offensively and defensively that when brought up you realize it translates to average on both. Forbort's game is simple, usually pretty mistake free, and has proven to be reliable at every level he has played. We do need to know if it translates well to the NHL. The sooner the better. This kid could really help a team that has struggled a lot last year in their own end! We need to see how he looks, or if it looks any different!! He deserves and is ready for his cup of coffee. Imo

 

[FrozenRoyalty]

I think the plan will be to have him get lots of ice time this year. They will balance this with how much they truly feel they need him up on the big club vs. just getting more minutes in the AHL. If his minutes were to rise while on the Kings, then you don't see him going back down too much. A lot will have to do with injuries, and where the Kings have him on their depth chart. I can say this, it'll be a shame if he's not at least given a shot. We know what the others look like, McNabb, McBain, Schultz, even Ehrhoff to some extent. Because Forbort's game in the AHL is not flashy, he's not going to be one of these players that you think is tearing it up in the AHL both offensively and defensively that when brought up you realize it translates to average on both. Forbort's game is simple, usually pretty mistake free, and has proven to be reliable at every level he has played. We do need to know if it translates well to the NHL. The sooner the better. This kid could really help a team that has struggled a lot last year in their own end! We need to see how he looks, or if it looks any different!! He deserves and is ready for his cup of coffee. Imo

The fact that he doesn't have to clear waivers is likely to be the deciding factor in where he starts the season.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

I'd say it is more valuable for Forbort to experience top pairing minutes in Ontario, play in all situations, and be a leader on the blueline. He's entering his third pro season in the AHL, and with three years of experience in college, I think that by next year Forbort will be ready to step in.

It's been a long road for Forbort but you know how the Lombardi and the rest of the staff view development, they'd rather a player be over prepared than under prepared when they bring someone up.

 

[bob77]

The fact that he doesn't have to clear waivers is likely to be the deciding factor in where he starts the season.

Yes, i agree. Its also why they'll make sure he gets minutes somewhere, which will be a good thing. You wouldnt want him to go through the kind of year Andreoff had last year. At the same time, they need to see how he looks!!! Or, do we just go through another season where everyone is automatically penciled in and we are waiting for that magic switch the Kings supposedly have. A little competition all year long is what this team needs, but its hard to institute when there is no flexibility on the roster with protecting assets. Example, we protected Andreoff all last year and then never saw Weal. Cap wise, couldnt bring up Forbort because we only had 550 k space, and then had to sign McBain(which turned out all right). Signing Ehrhoff puts the Kings daily cap number tight if MR is fully back and depending how soon VV is back (granted still waiting, but could all happen). Even if someone gets injured, its going to be tight to bring up a 24th guy. Doubt if Kings will be able to do it! It will be interesting to see how the management of all this plays out this year.

 

[Kingsfan1]

They should trade Martinez and Greene and start letting rookies play like everyone else around the league or they are going to lose Kopitar and others.

 

[Fishhead]

They should trade Martinez and Greene and start letting rookies play like everyone else around the league or they are going to lose Kopitar and others.

I agree it would be ideal, but I certainly wouldn't trade anyone unless Forbort forces their hand, ala Voynov.

 

[Martyros]

I'm hoping Mcnabb forces Lombardi to trade Greene.

 

[Reclamation Project]

McNabb is better than Greene, but Greene isn't going anywhere.

 

[triplcrown]

Maybe Forbort can become a younger version of Willie Mitchell?

Mitchell was kind of a late-bloomer also. He was 23-24 when he 1st broke into the NHL.

Mitchell is meaner, but both play similar, shutdown styles.
Forbort skates better and is 1-2 inches taller.


I'm pulling for the kid, and there isn't a better role-model for him than Mitchell.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Maybe Forbort can become a younger version of Willie Mitchell?

Mitchell was kind of a late-bloomer also. He was 23-24 when he 1st broke into the NHL.

Mitchell is meaner, but both play similar, shutdown styles.
Forbort skates better and is 1-2 inches taller.


I'm pulling for the kid, and there isn't a better role-model for him than Mitchell.

I mean, everyone talks about how fluid his skating is; if he can simply be a fluid-skating Shcultz (with a better first pass than to the glass, which by all accounts he already has), he's going to carve out a long NHL career.

Edit: I wouldn't even really call it a late bloomer, he went the college development path and if he weren't a first rounder no one would even blink at his age. Rather do it right like we have been!

 

[triplcrown]

I feel confiednt, from everything I've read about Forbort, that he will be no Keaton Ellerbee (i.e.stagnant career), and will carve-out a solid niche for himself in the NHL.

If he were a right-shot, he'd be absolutely ideal for the Kings,
but what can you do.

Nobody's perfect.

 

[damacles1156]

Forbort/Gravel, a future Kings pairing. They chew up minutes, and cover the entire ice surface with fantastic stick work, also high end skating with good size/reach.

Both Forbort/Gavel posses very good hockey IQ.

 

[KINGS17]

Forbort/Gravel, a future Kings pairing. They chew up minutes, and cover the entire ice surface with fantastic stick work, also high end skating with good size/reach.

Both Forbort/Gavel posses very good hockey IQ.

I'm looking forward to seeing how Alex Lintuniemi looks in Ontario this season.

 

[417th]

I'm looking forward to seeing how Alex Lintuniemi looks in Ontario this season.

I think that you and several others around here are going to be pleasantly surprised with just how solid a dman Lurch has become and is developing into. I see #2 potential in him. He is very smart with his reach and while he isn't flashy he does everything so well that he fits in with whoever he is playing. There are times when he looks like he could become a really solid PMD type and times when he looks like he will be a hard hitting SAHD with a nice first pass but for my money he is best when he just plays his all around game. I compare him to Muzzin right when we signed him. He was raw but you could see all of the skills were in place and only needed time to come to the forefront. Lurch is the same type of player. It is too early to think that he is a sure fire top pairing guy but with our developmental track record and the fact that he is going to get to play with some great young Dmen in Ont I think that he has a real shot at developing into a solid top 4 NHL dman. I don't think he will become a flashy player by any means but the word solid in every situation is what comes to mind and that is a great thing imo. He was great for the 67's and their coaching staff couldn't stop praising the kid and they aren't known for throwing around compliments.


I have watched a ton of Forbort and with a critical eye too (watching to see if he was going to be able to matriculate rather than just seeing where he is at) and over the past two seasons he has made a believer out of me. I think he is sort of a mix match of A Mart and Muzzin in many ways. Forbes can skate very well and while that is a strong suit it isn't his best attribute. To me he plays a smart positional style of hockey and like Damacles said uses his stick very well. I would say that it took a little time for DF to adjust to the pro game but once he did you could see what I think is his absolute best attribute and that is when he is playing with confidence that game just flows with him. His strong skating and solid positional play puts him where he needs to be to get the job done.

Where he still has issues to my way of seeing things is that he gets knocked off of his game at times a little too easily. He picks it back up but for a player like DF he needs to be able to rebound more quickly after a mistake is made. He looks like he can be his own worse critic, once he gets shaken it will take him a shift or two to get his game back in line and until he does he plays poorly. I think this will change with experience and age. He is ready to start slowly making his NHL debut and I think will be our 2nd pairing homerun for the next ten years once he establishes himself. Not great but good and that is what we need.

 

[Telos]

I still have very big expectations for him, not too crazy though. I don't expect him to be a top pairing guy, but I think he can eventually be a solid #4 kind of guy through his veterancy. I'm very interested in getting a better look at him this season, though I don't expect a lot his rookie season.

 

[Ana Crusis]

What happened to him? Was he waived?

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

What happened to him? Was he waived?

Back to Ontario when we got Schenn/Lecavalier. Only d-man that was waiver-eligible. Good for him to continue getting big minutes after a cup of coffee in the NHL when he was underwhelming and a bit inconsistent.

He absolutely dropped my jaw with SEVERAL breakout passes that I've never seen anyone make, even Drew, then would go out the next shift and softly lose a puck battle in the corner.

Dunno if it was the game speed or what but it wasn't altogether too unlike Martinez's first call up, hoping he gets some more seasoning and comes back firing. Could use his cheap RFA salary next year