When the Kings chose gangling defenseman Derek Forbort with the 15th pick in the 2010 NHL entry draft, they had depth on defense and time to allow the Duluth, Minn., native to develop from an ambitious project into a finished product.
More than five years and two Stanley Cup championships later, the Kings aren't so deep on defense anymore. That makes this an ideal time for a brawnier, more confident Forbort to make his NHL debut Friday against the Minnesota Wild at Staples Center, the site of the 2010 draft.
The 6-foot-5, 216-pound Forbort will replace Matt Greene, who has an injury the Kings would not specify.