Jason Lewis: Is There a Spot for Derek Forbort?

IMO having him as the 7th dman right now should be good for him. He gets to practice with the regulars, sees and feels what's going on, and tries to play his game when called upon. BUT, I'd prefer to have McB in there over him. Forbert has paid his dues and should slowly be worked into the roster as has been the case. He can pick up his physical game a little when he does get in there though.

There is a place in this lineup for Derek Forbort. At his best, at his absolute ceiling, we have seen potential for Forbort to be a steady 4-6 defenseman.

i know its cliche but drafting him as a first round project in a year where tarasanko went right after him, and even other USNDT prospects like tinordi (jury's still out), faulk (2nd round!!) and johns (jury's still out too but went lower). Was Forbort ever slated to be a top pairing guy? Hickey and Teubert and Forbort...if it weren't for finding the diamonds in the rough (Muzzin/Martinez), these reaches/misses would be even more pronounced.

Weal seems to be playing very tentatively and you can see that his size is an issue right now. I have said often we need to have a few forwards that are small and fast but play a few inches taller than they are. Weal may not ever figure it out at this level but I thought the same thing about Andreoff and he has improved quite a bit.

Mersch looks fine to me, I think his gap is closer than Weal and would say he deserves a longer look and more ice time.

Forbort has mental lapses, coverage breakdowns and appears to be on the nervous side. There are things I like about him though but the bottom line is these players need to through their nuts over their shoulders and make some plays, maybe not worry about making a mistake or 2 that will be easily forgiven when they make a big play or 2.

Weal made one exceptional play defensively in the Tampa Bay game where he sealed off the hulking Brian Boyle in the Kings zone in order to move the puck out.
- Jason Lewis

Honestly, the only reason that this play was "exceptional" and even brought up by Jim Fox during the broadcast was due to the size differential between the players. If Jordan Nolan or Jeff Schultz made the exact same play, it wouldn't even have been mentioned.

I have said numerous times that if Weal is going to make this squad, he needs to outperform his competition. He has an uphill battle to fight because of his size. If he wants a regular spot in the lineup, he needs to show that he brings something extra in his skill game (see Johnny Gaudreau), otherwise the Kings are better off going with someone with less skill and more size so that can fit into the Kings established grinding system.

As you said, Weal has not looked impressive at all during this season, and the only times he has stood out was due to mistakes or turnovers that lead to scoring chances and/or goals against. I wouldn't be surprised if we never saw him in a Kings uniform again.

Forbort has mental lapses, coverage breakdowns and appears to be on the nervous side. There are things I like about him though but the bottom line is these players need to through their nuts over their shoulders and make some plays, maybe not worry about making a mistake or 2 that will be easily forgiven when they make a big play or 2.
- MikeOxbyg

Only problem is that DS's leash is a short one and a mistake or two will get you 3:00 TOI. He needs to take what's given and say thanks and please. Young players have a tough road ahead of them in this organization.

Only problem is that DS's leash is a short one and a mistake or two will get you 3:00 TOI. He needs to take what's given and say thanks and please. Young players have a tough road ahead of them in this organization.
- Stu17

You have to earn yourself a spot on the team during practice. If Weal and Forbort aren't establishing themselves during practice, then they shouldn't be given ice time during the game. I don't attend practices, so I'm not sure how well or poorly they do.

I've seen numerous occasions when DS has promoted someone during the game due to their strong play. Jordan Nolan had that exceptional game last week that earned him extra ice time and a few shifts on the line with Kopitar and Gaborik. If Weal or Forbort aren't taking advantage of the few minutes that they are given, then they certainly should be given any more.

You have to earn yourself a spot on the team during practice. If Weal and Forbort aren't establishing themselves during practice, then they shouldn't be given ice time during the game. I don't attend practices, so I'm not sure how well or poorly they do.

I've seen numerous occasions when DS has promoted someone during the game due to their strong play. Jordan Nolan had that exceptional game last week that earned him extra ice time and a few shifts on the line with Kopitar and Gaborik. If Weal or Forbort aren't taking advantage of the few minutes that they are given, then they certainly should be given any more.
- tkecanuck341

well stated in every aspect

You have to earn yourself a spot on the team during practice. If Weal and Forbort aren't establishing themselves during practice, then they shouldn't be given ice time during the game. I don't attend practices, so I'm not sure how well or poorly they do.

I've seen numerous occasions when DS has promoted someone during the game due to their strong play. Jordan Nolan had that exceptional game last week that earned him extra ice time and a few shifts on the line with Kopitar and Gaborik. If Weal or Forbort aren't taking advantage of the few minutes that they are given, then they certainly should be given any more.
- tkecanuck341

IMO DS doesn't have patience for in-game mistakes from the kids. Forbert took a bad penalty against CLB and played around 5 minutes. He made a bad D zone decision against OTT and played around 3 minutes. Practice will get you suited up, but it seems in-game will determine TOI.

I don't care what happens as long as we don't see the 7-Defensemen, 11-Forward debacle like last game. Puts everyone out of sync, even though the players won't admit it. It was obvious.

You have to earn yourself a spot on the team during practice. If Weal and Forbort aren't establishing themselves during practice, then they shouldn't be given ice time during the game. I don't attend practices, so I'm not sure how well or poorly they do.

I've seen numerous occasions when DS has promoted someone during the game due to their strong play. Jordan Nolan had that exceptional game last week that earned him extra ice time and a few shifts on the line with Kopitar and Gaborik. If Weal or Forbort aren't taking advantage of the few minutes that they are given, then they certainly should be given any more.
- tkecanuck341

It's not a development league, as Sutter has stated. Your points are well put!

It's not a development league, as Sutter has stated. Your points are well put!
- Jason_Lewis

Kopitar close to signing 8 years, 9.75 mil per year. http://hfboards.hockeysfu...howthread.php?p=110905405

He's been "close to sign" at that figure since Dec. 1
http://mayorsmanor.com/20...early-done-with-la-kings/