With their first pick in the fourth round, the LA Kings went back to add to their defense by selecting Caeden Herrington. He just finished up playing in the USHL with the Lincoln Stars with 34 points in 56 games and is set to go to the NCAA to play for the University of Vermont next season.
Herrington is another piece for the Kings in rebuilding the right side of the defense as he joins Henry Brzustewicz on that side. There is plenty to like with his game, but he feels like his ceiling is somewhat capped and might not be a Top 4 defenseman. He is a player that might have been worth waiting another round to select and that is why the pick has the grade it does.
The Los Angeles Kings didn't have to wait much at all before their next pick as they would once again be on the clock five picks later. This selection was part of a trade from the third round where the Kings traded the pick they acquired in the Jordan Spence trade for a 2026 3rd Round Pick and this pick in the fourth round with the Carolina Hurricanes.
The selection of Lombardi was certainly a questionable one because he has a limited offensive skill set according to the scouting report on Neutral Zone. In two seasons in the OHL with the Flint Firebirds, he had only 20 goals, and "poor shooting efficiency and scoring ability" was a concern in the scouting report.
He will have a chance to continue to develop at the University of Michigan but expectations should be low for the center.