D Brandt Clarke - Ontario Reign, AHL (2021, 8th, LAK)

[Kalv]

It's possible.... Zellweger was basically in his spot for Team Canada

Clarke: 32 games, 43 points, 8 goals, 34 assists, +19 , 107 sog turns 19 in 9 days
Zellweger: 30 games, 39 points, 8 goals, 31 assists, +33, 118 sog turns 19 in 8 months

Clarke has way better size but Zellweger is a lot more mobile and an elite skater, depends what you like.

There are more players but I know the most about my teams prospect so just throwing a comparable out there.

It's closer than I would've guessed, I thought Clarke was more ahead.
To his defense, he is absolutely leading his team in points while Zell has seemingly a better team and is #6 on his team. As a Ducks fan, stoked to have Zell, but I guess Clarke should be the most promising D prospect until proven otherwise (or until left out of Canada roster )

 

[bsu]

Had a feeling you'd be in here commenting about Zellweger

He asked a question and I answered it.

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

Question: Is Clarke the #1 prospect offensive defenseman outside the NHL today?

Didnt even make team canada at WJC

 

[CanuckistanFlyerfan]

OHL Player of the Week with 9 points in 4 games including a game tying goal with 1 second left.

 

[Shroud of Orrin]

Clarke leading his team while Zellweger is 6th on his. Hmmmm…

 

[bsu]

Clarke is the better prospect, he was literally just drafted higher & hasn't done anything to lower his stock (unless you count not making team Canada but everyone knows that was a joke). Zellweger is only comparable imo because he's 5 days from being in this 2022 draft and have similar numbers.

 

[Intangir]

Even without taking into account his crazy offensive output I've been pretty impressed by Clarke in the last couple of games I've seen. His skating has gotten a bit better compared to last year, and he's also visibly stronger and with better balance while still being as smart on the ice as ever.

Clarke has always been a ++ prospect but even then I'm liking his progression thus far. Kings fans have a really good one on their hands.

 

[Mats26]

Leading scorer of his team, captain and OHL leading defenseman in scoring. Kings in good hands to pass the torch on from Doughty. Looks like a smaller more offensive Seider.

 

[Osakahaus]

Definitely loved this pick for LA. Always had a hunch that NJ should've taken him, but they wanted the other Hughes brother

 

[bsu]

Leading scorer of his team, captain and OHL leading defenseman in scoring. Kings in good hands to pass the torch on from Doughty. Looks like a smaller more offensive Seider.

Not at all, more like Klingberg, which is a steal at where LA got him.

 

[Mats26]

Not at all, more like Klingberg, which is a steal at where LA got him.

I'll take a 70pt D-man any day.

 

[Dominance]

Clarke will almost certainly be a vastly better defender than Klingberg. I don’t agree with those pushing him as an offensive d-man at all.

 

[bsu]

We will see how LA develops him because as of right now I don't trust their development plans at all. Luckily for the Kings have so many high/grade A prospects that even if a few pan out they will still be set.

 

[JTeller97]

Is John Carlson a good comp for Clarke?

 

[kilowatt]

We will see how LA develops him because as of right now I don't trust their development plans at all. Luckily for the Kings have so many high/grade A prospects that even if a few pan out they will still be set.

Your argument has legs for LA's forward prospects, but LA consistently churns out good-to-great defensemen. I'm not worried at all. Look how well Spence and Grans are doing in the AHL as rookies. Look how well Durzi is doing with the Kings. This is their bread and butter. Clarke might make the big club next season.

 

[Vasilevskiy]

Clarke will almost certainly be a vastly better defender than Klingberg. I don’t agree with those pushing him as an offensive d-man at all.

We will see, I agree with the Klingberg comp above, but maybe he turns out a good defender too

 

[bsu]

Your argument has legs for LA's forward prospects, but LA consistently churns out good-to-great defensemen. I'm not worried at all. Look how well Spence and Grans are doing in the AHL as rookies. Look how well Durzi is doing with the Kings. This is their bread and butter. Clarke might make the big club next season.

I don't make judgements anymore until a prospect is in the NHL.... but Durzi is definitely looking damn good.

 

[kilowatt]

I don't make judgements anymore until a prospect is in the NHL.... but Durzi is definitely looking damn good.

For sure, I'm not saying they're guaranteed not to bust or anything, just that LA's defensive development pipeline is really good and that I don't have the same fears defensively as I do offensively.

 

[CanuckistanFlyerfan]

Clarke was just named OHL Defenceman of the Month as well.

 

[Mats26]

Clarke was just named OHL Defenceman of the Month as well.

Might as well be first.

Clarke was just named OHL Defenceman of the Year as well

 

[Dominance]

Might as well be first.

Clarke was just named CHL Defenceman of the Year as well

FTFY

 

[Shroud of Orrin]

FTFY

What? I think I'm in another COVID time warp. Why are awards being dished in January?

 

[KapG]

9 goals 39 assists for 48 points in 38 games.

Kids a beauty.

 

[KapG]

Another 1 + 1. Has 50 in 40 gp.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Suspended indefinitely for a hit.

How much does hockey canada hate this kid?