The Los Angeles Kings hosted the 2010 NHL Draft at Staples Center, and sent their fans home happy by trading up in the first round to select Derek Forbort, a 6-foot-5, 198-pound defenseman from the U.S. Development Prorgram. The Kings traded the 19th and 59th picks to the Florida Panthers for the 15th pick, which was used to select Forbort.
The 18-year old Forbort, from Duluth, Minnesota, has a ton of potential. NHL Central Scouting's Jack Barzee was bullish on Forbort:
"Derek Forbort has good top-end ability at both ends (of the ice). He's smart and skates so well, he's almost 6-5 and he's got everything there in front of him. It's just a matter of filling out and getting more experience. He's probably a top-two defenseman in the NHL if he reaches his potential."
Here are Forbort highlights and the announcement of his pick, per NHL.com: