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

[johnjm22]

I see both sides of the debate on how much Kopitar should have accepted. I feel like he has no obligation to do it, but some athletes have in the past (Bergeron, Tom Brady) but others certainly have not. Remember he did have Ryan Smyth as a linemate for 2 years, Smyth was very vocal about how he learned to get everything you can from Weight and Guerin, maybe that was passed on to AK and DD. The $7m number wasn't ever going to hurt the Kings, the big risk was in the two years for a guy who will be 37 and 38, but at this point it's looking more and more like Kopitar is going to be more Bergeron and Pavelski than he is going to be Getzlaf. With his game-sense it really is possible that Kopitar could play into his 40's if he wanted to, he is still one step ahead of almost everyone in both zones even as his skating has gotten worse.

I wouldn't say Bergeron took anymore of a discount than Kopitar did.

Bergeron got 5M coming off a 65pts season with the cap at 82.5M

Kopitar is getting 7M coming off a 74pts season (and likely 80pts season) with the cap at 87.5M and ∼92M.

Bruins were just able to amortize Bergeron's cap hit which is one of the things that's hurting them this year.

 

[Ghetty Green]

Agree on Danaults ability, it’s purely a cap conundrum.

I like him but they have ‘potentially’ Byfield or Turcotte to fit into that slot through the middle. Also with the cap going up some teams out East would probably be very interested in him. Of the players with meaningful cap hits up front his is probably the most moveable and/or the one that you’re most likely to want to move. They won’t be trading Kopitar, Dubois, Fiala, Kempe or Moore for various reasons. I’m not saying I want to move him but if we hit a scenario where they need to move a meaningful contract I think he’s the best candidate.

As you say we will need guys on friendly deals because it’s looking like some of the ELC guys are going to push for big increases. Let’s hope so because if they do it’ll have been a great season.

I see your point, but I put a LOT of stock into PD24s leadership skills. After every game, he's the guy high fiving every guy as they come off the ice. I think it's fair to assume that he is a vocal leader as well. In fact, I think he's probably more vocal than Kopi. His teammates seem to love him. Unless he falls off a cliff I'd rather keep. He's a culture changer. And his game is ready made for bottom 6 minutes for when (hopefully) Turcotte and QB surpass him on the depth chart.

 

[KopitarGOAT420]

Clarke could be a game changer for this team. This kind of offensive skill has been lacking from the Kings blue line for a longggggg time.

 

[Statto]

He’s going to end up having decent size once he fills out.

 

[Schrute farms]

Clarke could be a game changer for this team. This kind of offensive skill has been lacking from the Kings blue line for a longggggg time.

OR -- he could be a key cog in the Reign's quest for the Calder Cup. I'm kidding, i'm kidding (i think )

 

[MonkeysUncle]

OR -- he could be a key cog in the Reign's quest for the Calder Cup. I'm kidding, i'm kidding (i think )

He most likely would have been if Roy and his wife didn't want to leave California

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1852013000095600812

Hadn't even thought of comparing him to Bouchard, it's an interesting thought

Clarke doesn't have anywhere near the shot though

 

[Schrute farms]

Kings FO today: Too flashy -- too much risk with his game. We need to send him down to Ontario to work on being a shut-down D. Maybe focus on his PK and get him some work on the LH side.

 

[AbsentMojo]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1852013000095600812

Hadn't even thought of comparing him to Bouchard, it's an interesting thought

Clarke doesn't have anywhere near the shot though

With all the shot blocking the bomb from the point isnt super important in my opinion (assuming thats what youre referring to). Clarke gets his shots on goal more often than not.. by keeping his head up and moving around to find a lane - I think thats more valuable... of course having the bomb in your arsenal is a plus.. but I dont think it hurts him that much. Clarke did put up 23g in 31 games in juniors.. 10g in 50 games last season. So his goal scoring ability seems solid.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

With all the shot blocking the bomb from the point isnt super important in my opinion (assuming thats what youre referring to). Clarke gets his shots on goal more often than not.. by keeping his head up and moving around to find a lane - I think thats more valuable... of course having the bomb in your arsenal is a plus.. but I dont think it hurts him that much. Clarke did put up 23g in 31 games in juniors.. 10g in 50 games last season. So his goal scoring ability seems solid.

Oh i agree. His shot is stealthy and effective. Just referencing the direct comp to Bouchard whose slapper/onetimer is a weapon Brandt does't have.

 

[Surf Nutz]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1852013000095600812

Hadn't even thought of comparing him to Bouchard, it's an interesting thought

Clarke doesn't have anywhere near the shot though

And Bouchard can't pass with the anticipation, accuracy and timing or look off players and pivot like Clarke.

Clarke is truly different defenseman his play is truly evolutionary.

Someone called him an offensive savant about a year ago...

He could be a piece of cup returning team.

Byfield needs to return to form at C.

The coaches should be showing him video of his good runs of play.

 

[Mcsorley47]

Let Clarke just be Clarke for a full year and see what happens...

 

[AbsentMojo]

Hiller, Kings cautious with Clarke despite impressive start​

https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/los-angeles-kings/latest-news/hiller-kings-cautious-with-clarke-despite-impressive-start

cc @Raccoon Jesus see comment re Edmundson impact on Clarke

 

[VILARGOD]

God that Edmundson signing is so annoying

Blake finally got HIS guy, just in time for him to be a decrepit pylon and drag down Clarke

Four year deal. Close to 4m AAV. Blake masterclass

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Hiller, Kings cautious with Clarke despite impressive start​

https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/los-angeles-kings/latest-news/hiller-kings-cautious-with-clarke-despite-impressive-start

cc @Raccoon Jesus see comment re Edmundson impact on Clarke

no real surprise, it's the same as Spence and Englund last year

the theory is fine and I think most would agree--get guys like them a safety blanket. Even karlsson had Methot. But it's like they're sto stuck to the theory that they'll throw any old shit together to make it work and Edmundson, Burroughs, and Englund as these guys' partners are arguably the worst players in the NHL and they dont' seem to be able to put together that those three are the issues, not Spence and Clarke.

 

[Surf Nutz]

Fireworks

 

[AbsentMojo]

no real surprise, it's the same as Spence and Englund last year

the theory is fine and I think most would agree--get guys like them a safety blanket. Even karlsson had Methot. But it's like they're sto stuck to the theory that they'll throw any old shit together to make it work and Edmundson, Burroughs, and Englund as these guys' partners are arguably the worst players in the NHL and they dont' seem to be able to put together that those three are the issues, not Spence and Clarke.

Exactly. LAK pro-scouting and team player evaluation is highly suspect.

 

[SmytheKing]

no real surprise, it's the same as Spence and Englund last year

the theory is fine and I think most would agree--get guys like them a safety blanket. Even karlsson had Methot. But it's like they're sto stuck to the theory that they'll throw any old shit together to make it work and Edmundson, Burroughs, and Englund as these guys' partners are arguably the worst players in the NHL and they dont' seem to be able to put together that those three are the issues, not Spence and Clarke.

Going from guys like Mitchell and Scuderi to these guys for the same purpose/role really shows you how bad Blake is compared to Lombardi.

 

[Statto]

Going from guys like Mitchell and Scuderi to these guys for the same purpose/role really shows you how bad Blake is compared to Lombardi.

I’m no fan of the Edmundson deal (both term and AAV) but which Mitchell/Scuderi equivalents were available (although both were very different players).

 

[Sol]

God that Edmundson signing is so annoying

Blake finally got HIS guy, just in time for him to be a decrepit pylon and drag down Clarke

Four year deal. Close to 4m AAV. Blake masterclass

Isn’t it funny that it’s not remotely close to his worst contract. PLD 8 years at 8 million. And Petersen 15 million for 3 years when he only played a few games.

 

[chris kontos]

On SN last nite during the calgary-edmonton game they had a table that displayed the most time on ice increases since last yr for d men . Englund was tied for second in the nhl with an average of a 4min 10sec increas
Post is my contribution to out of context useless beancounting

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I’m no fan of the Edmundson deal (both term and AAV) but which Mitchell/Scuderi equivalents were available (although both were very different players).

Please don't 'what was blake supposed to do?' this

this is the result of YEARS of mismanagement, not one offseason of bad signings, bottom line is he didn't have the foresight to capture long-term partners for either guy, and literal YEARS of completely imbalanced RHD-LHD lineups that culminated in now having NO depth at EITHER position rather than exchanging a dearth of RHD for any LHD at all

 

[SmytheKing]

I’m no fan of the Edmundson deal (both term and AAV) but which Mitchell/Scuderi equivalents were available (although both were very different players).

Tyson Barrie and Sami Vatanen were available over the past couple of years and both would have been better suited to help with guys like Clarke and Spence and even Durzi. Several others too.

Something to remember before poo-pooing any possible players is that Mitchell and Scuderi were both pretty much castoffs at the time of their signing. Edmundson was a bad signing and we all knew it from the jump.