The LA Kings have signed forward Jimmy Lombardi to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Lombardi was selected by the Kings in the fourth round of the 2025 NHL Draft and is now the second player from the 2025 class to sign an entry-level contract with the Kings, joining second-round selection Vojtech Cihar, who inked his own three-year contract earlier this month. Lombardi is an undersized forward with a longer development curve, but a lot of tools and traits to like. He’s having a great season in the OHL and has earned the contract.

One to keep an eye on a ways down the road.

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It’s always a difficult and sometimes misleading process to evaluate players in a rookie-tournament setting.

However, I thought that Lombardi stood out to me when the Kings played against the Anaheim and San Jose rookies back in September. Not in an off the charts way, but he was one of a couple guys who I had not really seen play going in but took note of after the two games had concluded. He just had a way about him, the way in which he played. He’s a very shifty player and a smooth player. Moved pucks really well and looked comfortable with the puck on his stick whenever he had it, especially in the offensive zone. Just seemed to make the right reads. Now, we’re talking about two games here – exhibition games at that – without a ton of meaning. But Lombardi was a name I took a bit of notice of.

Fast forward into the 2025-26 season and Lombardi is off to quite the start in the Ontario Hockey League.

With 21 goals, Lombardi is tied for third in the league in goals, while his 41 points are tied for eighth. 17 of his 21 goals have come at even strength, which is also third-best in the league. Lombardi is playing on a vastly improved Flint squad this season, which currently leads the West Division with a 24-7-2-2 record and his step forward this season is a big reason as to why.

Lombardi still has a ways to go before he’s an NHL player, but part of that process is being seen here this season. Couldn’t be doing a ton more with his season than he has. In speaking with Mark Yannetti over the summer, he spoke about a longer development curve for Lombardi. He’s a bit undersized and has a lot of room to add strength. But he’s also 18-years-old and has a long time with which to do so, whether that’s in the OHL with Flint or in the AHL with the Ontario Reign.

“He’s on the lower end of his development curve, he’s got decent height but just not the weight to go with it yet,” Yannetti said. “He’s already a really good skater, really good quickness, good short-course ability, kind of elusive, can slip through checks and seams, he’s got that slippery ability.”

Yannetti added that the biggest challenges for Lombardi will be adding size and strength to his frame. As noted, he’s 6-0, so he’s not short, but he’s got a ways to go in terms of getting stronger. Not exactly the first player we’ve heard that about. The things Yannetti spoke about in that quote are what I noticed quickly of Lombardi during the games at the Rookie Faceoff. He does have a way about him of moving in a slippery way throughout the zone, avoiding defenders and finding seams. He does the same thing in moving the puck. He’s likely got a longer path to the league as a result of his stature, but if he can build out the frame, while maintaining the qualities that are already quite good, there could be a real player there. Clearly some good offensive upside as well, considering his 21 goals in 33 games this season, which is excellent production.

Early days, but it’s always good to lock players like this in early to prevent any potential issues down the line.

From the team’s official release –

Selected in the fourth round (125th overall) of the 2025 NHL Draft, Lombardi has tallied a career-best 21 goals and 41 points (21-20=41) with four power-play goals, two shorthanded goals and a plus 15-rating in 33 games this season with the Flint Firebirds of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). His 21 goals rank second among all Firebirds skaters while his 20 assists and 41 points each place third on the team. Of Lombardi’s 21 goals, an OHL-best six have been game-winners.

Lombardi, 18, is in his third season with Flint following a career-best 45-point campaign (13-32=45) last season where he finished tied for fourth in team scoring. The 6-0, 175-pound center has totaled 41 goals and 106 points (41-65=106) in 158 regular-season OHL contests with the Firebirds, adding two assists in nine total playoff games. The Toronto, Ontario native is committed to play collegiate hockey for the University of Michigan Wolverines (Big-10).

Look at Lombardi go

A nifty move and finish from Jimmy Lombardi gave the @FlintFirebirds a lead and earned the @deltabingo_ Play of the Night!@FloHockey | #GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/QaPr8o0q4P

— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) December 21, 2025