Lombardi signed a three-year entry level contract with the Kings on December 22.

Lombardi is a pure energy player who brings it every shift. He uses his speed to win races to the puck and wins battles. He had long droughts of a lack of offence which hurt his overall output. While the offense is not always there, Lombardi has the tools to show that if he can find that consistency, he has middle-six upside. Otherwise, he could be destined for a perennial fourth line role, but that looks to be the worst case scenario.

Selected 125th overall, Jimmy Lombardi is now a member of the Los Angeles Kings.

A disruptive center with an active defensive stick, Lombardi plays with intensity but maintains responsible offensive-zone positioning, tracking back through the middle, and rotating high to defend the rush. Lombardi’s M.O. doesn’t push the envelope offensively—retrievals, set-ups, driving the net off the puck, reaping rewards. He’s projectable, reliable, and plays with the intensity and physicality to thrive as a defensive player at higher levels. –

Final Rankings – Lombardi is a pesky high-energy forward who uses speed and tenacity to pressure opponents, with a solid defensive game as a supporting center. However, his overzealousness leads to errors, and he may be better suited as a winger. With refinement, he projects as a bottom-six energy forward.—