Yesterday, MayorsManor broke news that the Kings would officially be calling up 2010 first round draft pick Derek Forbort. As noted in Tuesday’s article, Forbort is the lone player remaining from the 30 guys selected in the first round of the 2010 Draft to make his NHL debut. However, even though he did practice in Los Angeles this morning, that doesn’t guarantee he will play actually for the Kings anytime soon. There have been plenty of Kings prospects who arrive from Manchester only to serve as healthy scratches for a few games and then return.
While nothing is confirmed on this front, barring six healthy defensemen – which the Kings should have, unless Robyn Regehr’s flu-like symptoms worsen – we are not expecting Forbort to play on Thursday vs. Calgary. That contest is extremely important, given where the Kings are sitting in the Western Conference standings. Thus, a debut vs. Washington on Saturday would seem more likely, probably as a sub for Brayden McNabb. We’ll have to see what Darryl Sutter thinks.
Late yesterday, a different coach, some 3,000 miles away, Manchester bench boss Mike Stothers told MayorsManor, “Derek’s best asset, besides his size, is his mobility and ability to defend. He is a very good skater for a bigger man.”
Then, when asked for one memory that stands out the most regarding Forbort, Stothers went with the his performance November 15th vs. Providence, where the second-year pro scored two goals. “One was a backhand from the high slot that was harder than some guys slap shots. I’ve never seen a better back hand than that,” said the Monarchs bench boss. [note: our original game report from that night, including analysis and video highlights can be read here].
In total, Forbort has played 46 games for Stothers and the Monarchs this season, recording 11 points (2 goals, 11 assists), a plus-15 rating, and 37 penalty minutes. Prior to being called up by the Kings, the 6-foot-4, 219 pound blueliner was tied for 10th in the AHL in plus-minus. In total, he has appeared in 126 career AHL games, and posted a plus-39 rating.
We also have a little more on our tweet from his morning:
Derek Forbort recall now official. Interesting note – will wear number 84, becoming the first player in #LAKings history to wear that number
— The Mayor John Hoven (@mayorNHL) February 11, 2015
The No. 84 was actually the last number to ever appear in a NHL game, lasting all the way until a 2009 appearance by Guillaume Latendresse of the Montreal Canadiens. Since then, five other players (Mikhail Grabovski, Corey Locke, Colton Sissons, Philip Varone, and Oscar Klefborm) have skated with the number on their jersey. Will Forbort be the next?
Until his debut date is made clear by Sutter, here are 10 tidbits you may not know about Forbort.
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[…] on our article yesterday with Manchester coach Mike Stothers, we went a little higher up the chain of command and connected with Rob Blake regarding Derek […]