So, there has been much talk about the Kings' draft, especially Dean Lombardi's seemingly left-field selection of defenseman Thomas Hickey. Kings fans were appalled that the Kings didn't select the top defensive prospect according to the Central Scouting Service, or even the second-best prospect. Kings fans questioned whether Lombardi still had what it takes to be a good general manager. And Kings fans complained, as they so often do.

Overall, fans were miffed that the Kings didn't go with a "safe" pick. They couldn't believe that Dean overlooked a "sure thing" in Karl Alzner, who went to the Washington Capitals with the very next pick. While Alzner was being likened to Chris Pronger by some hockey experts, Hickey was touted by Lombardi as a Scott Niedermayer-type player. Alzner could make Washington's team next season, while Hickey still needs some more time to mature in the Kings farm system.

Now that the dust has settled, it's time to look at this with a clear head.

I'm as big a Kings fan as anyone. After all, I'm writing a blog about a team buried in the Pacific division. Since the Kings had the number four pick in the draft, I wanted to become well-versed in the prospects out there for the taking. After all, what was I going to do as the Ducks marched toward the Stanley Cup?

So I read many draft previews, looked up analysis on some of the players that were being commented on. I even wrote a post about who the Kings should take. Keep in mind, I really only started having interest in the draft this season, and I was basing my thoughts on what I had read. By no means would I consider myself a pro scout, but I felt like I had a handle on what the situation was.

Lombardi knew the player he wanted, tried to trade down, couldn't, so he decided to get the guy anyway. Was it a stretch? Perhaps. Or perhaps not.

Our intrepid friends over on HockeysFuture.com did some analysis of three of the top defensemen, including Hickey.

After seeing this, do you still think Hickey will be a bust? Do you still think Lombardi is out of his head? Or maybe he's got a plan and he has the guts to stick to his guns. For years, the Kings have played it safe and where has it gotten us? I think fans should allow Lombardi to continue to rebuild this club from the ground up the right way.

The NFL Draft and the NBA Draft have spoiled sports fans. One player can seriously help or turn around the fortunes of a team. Players' shelf lifes in both those sports are relatively short.

The average NBA career is 4.82 years. The average NFL career is about 3.5 years. The average baseball pitcher can play close to 5.6 seasons, a hitter's career spans close to 6.5 . But the average, solid NHL player can play upward of five to eight seasons. That should illustrate why understanding the depth of the draft is crucial. Sure, Alzner may beat Hickey to the NHL, but Lombardi is banking on a more productive career from Hickey.

Either way, it's ridiculous to hold this one draft pick under such severe scutiny. The CCS rankings are just a tool to help people understand NHL prospects, it isn't the Bible. So back away from bashing the Kings and Lombardi. Let him do what we brought him in for.