Prospect Info: At 8th Overall the Kings Select Brandt Clarke

[LastWordArmy]

With the OHL season never quite getting off the runway due to COVID-19, the league’s top prospect, defenceman Brandt Clarke headed to Europe, playing for HC Nove Zamky in the Slovakian professional league. His game really developed while playing against men. Clarke put up five goals and 10 assists for 15 points in 24 games.

The fourth overall pick in the 2019 OHL Priority Draft, Clarke spent the 2019-20 season with the Barrie Colts. He was a member of the league’s All-Rookie Team, and led all OHL rookies with 32 assists. Brandt also had six goals and 38 points in 57 games. He was a star, playing for Team Canada Red at the Under-17 World Hockey Challenge, scoring five goals and an assist in six games. His brother, Graeme Clarke, is a prospect with the New Jersey Devils, and was a third-round pick in the 2019 NHL Draft.


Brandt Clarke Scouting Report


2021 NHL Draft #3: Brandt Clarke Scouting Report

Click to read more...

 

[Peter James Bond III]

He wants to make something happen every time the puck is on his stick, and he’s not afraid to push the play himself to see it through. Clarke’s brain and ability to process the movement of others on the ice to make his own reads is elite. He sees things that others do not, is patient with the puck, and allows the play to develop before he makes his decision. -EliteProspects 2021 NHL Draft Guide

 

[johnjm22]

Most lists had Clarke well above 8. His consolidated ranking is 4th.

I think we got good value here.

 

[Antiillafire]

Great pick. Loved watching him in the Slovak league, and it finally brought some attention to the league and hopefully nhl scouts will realize that it is a capable league worthy of scouting. Brandt had a slow start, didn’t look like a top pick at all first few games. Than I started seeing it and thought wow. He’s 18 but his team (Nove Zamky) followed him and often at the end of the season went in games where he could take them. Great player and a great person who by all accounts was well liked by his teammates. I did kinda wish they shouted out Nove Zamky and the Slovak league instead of Barrie when his name was called

 

[ShonSaunders]

What’s the issue with his skating, is it something he can overcome?

 

[goosh]

Happy with this pick. Good value, and (secondarily) a position of need. A few scouting services compared him to John Klingberg.

 

[Lt Dan]

I love how excited that he was that we drafted him.

 

[kingpest19]

I love how excited that he was that we drafted him.

Same here, great to see that reaction

 

[Telos]

I love how excited that he was that we drafted him.

That's because Ottawa, Phoenix, and Columbus were picking behind us

What’s the issue with his skating, is it something he can overcome?

Unfortunately, no. This is it for him. Hopefully he can make it as a 7th D before we lose him to waivers

Good pick. At least we have an offensive defenseman with pedigree behind Doughty now. Someone who is actually expected to help run a powerplay...

 

[King'sPawn]

What’s the issue with his skating, is it something he can overcome?

Likely yes. It's more about the technique and people say he's "knock-kneed". But it's not like he has a bad lower injury or weak core or anything, at least from what has been reported.

 

[ShonSaunders]

Likely yes. It's more about the technique and people say he's "knock-kneed". But it's not like he has a bad lower injury or weak core or anything, at least from what has been reported.

Good to know that it’s correctable, because after looking up his issue, it could result in an injury laden career if not corrected.

 

[redcard]

I love how excited that he was that we drafted him.

Did you see the teams drafting after us? Every player we didn't pick started praying they dropped a half dozen spots.

 

[Bandit]

I can f***ing believe we drafted this guy over Francis Bubbletrousers!!!!! f*** this team!!

Seriously some of you need to take it down a notch. Whether he’s the next Doughty or the next Hickey none of you have a clue.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

That's because Ottawa, Phoenix, and Columbus were picking behind us



Unfortunately, no. This is it for him. Hopefully he can make it as a 7th D before we lose him to waivers

Good pick. At least we have an offensive defenseman with pedigree behind Doughty now. Someone who is actually expected to help run a powerplay...

Don’t forget Helge Grans as well!

 

[Steve Zissou]

The was such a great article in the Athletic:

Diary of a draft year, part 2: Brandt Clarke faces odd questions in NHL interviews


Also a in-depth analysis:

What prospect Brandt Clarke's skating questions mean for the NHL team that drafts him

 

[Steve Zissou]

 

[Bandit]

The was such a great article in the Athletic:

Diary of a draft year, part 2: Brandt Clarke faces odd questions in NHL interviews


Also a in-depth analysis:

What prospect Brandt Clarke's skating questions mean for the NHL team that drafts him

Can you paraphrase what they say about his skating?

 

[kovacro]

Very happy with this selection. One of the guys I was hoping the Kings could potentially nab. Looking forward to seeing him in the OHL this year. Think we got a good one.

 

[Steve Zissou]

Can you paraphrase what they say about his skating?

Needs to work on skating backwards with the play coming at him... he keeps his skates too wide, prevents him from poke checks, etc.

Also his crossovers could use some work, especially when he does decide to go from skating forward to backwards along the boards and trying to beat the offense man to the puck/going around him.

Especially with the puck, there’s a real logic to that. But defensively, especially when going backward and pivoting, the team that drafts Clarke may need to plan for adjustments to his technique, and possibly tactics, in addition to strength.

He has a bit of Erik Karlsson in him in how he plays D, which is meant as both a negative and a positive.

Lastly, needs to work in his explosiveness.

With all this said, it's is meant to be things that can be corrected.

IMO he's def. still a lot less of a project than Helge Grans.

 

[Steve Zissou]

 

[King'sPawn]

Can you paraphrase what they say about his skating?

His backwards skating and pivoting make him vulnerable to defending on the rush.

It suggests teaching him to "defend forward" instead of relying on his backwards skating.

They also mention a very wide stance and crossing over too much.

 

[Reclamation Project]

Kings have great luck with OHL defensemen - Doughty and Muzzin. Let’s hope he’s just as good!

 

[Fishhead]

Clarke reminds me of Yandle when he came in, hopefully, he has similar success.

 

[Bandit]

Needs to work on skating backwards with the play coming at him... he keeps his skates too wide, prevents him from poke checks, etc.

Also his crossovers could use some work, especially when he does decide to go from skating forward to backwards along the boards and trying to beat the offense man to the puck/going around him.

Especially with the puck, there’s a real logic to that. But defensively, especially when going backward and pivoting, the team that drafts Clarke may need to plan for adjustments to his technique, and possibly tactics, in addition to strength.

He has a bit of Erik Karlsson in him in how he plays D, which is meant as both a negative and a positive.

Lastly, needs to work in his explosiveness.

With all this said, it's is meant to be things that can be corrected.

IMO he's def. still a lot less of a project than Helge Grans.

Thanks!

 

[Bandit]

His backwards skating and pivoting make him vulnerable to defending on the rush.

It suggests teaching him to "defend forward" instead of relying on his backwards skating.

They also mention a very wide stance and crossing over too much.

Also thanks!