cg98
Registered User
- Oct 10, 2017
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Jets have a glut of LD, NHLers and prospects for some RD. Either way there's no way Clarke starts the year in Barrie.
D Brandt Clarke - Ontario Reign, AHL (2021, 8th, LAK)
- Thread starter MMC
- Start date
ibleedkings
Rob Fake
There's literally zero chance that he goes back to Juniors. Someone on the Kings board said it perfectly, he has the ''lt'' factor that a King prospect hasn't had since Doughty stepped in. His hockey IQ, puck poise, passing, and the way he controls the game at 19 years old is mind boggling.
cyclones22
Registered User
@Dominance and @Pavel Buchnevich looking like they may have called this one. Kid looks special.
As Kings management would say: Where there's a waiver exemption, there's a way!
He's looking like he should make the big club, but they better give him at least 9 games. Management signed too many defensemen who are not waiver exempt and the Kings love them some value signings for the big club and sending kids down to the AHL to marinate more. It would be downright criminal to send him back to Juniors if he continues to play well through camp and preseason.
As Kings management would say: Where there's a waiver exemption, there's a way!
He's looking like he should make the big club, but they better give him at least 9 games. Management signed too many defensemen who are not waiver exempt and the Kings love them some value signings for the big club and sending kids down to the AHL to marinate more. It would be downright criminal to send him back to Juniors if he continues to play well through camp and preseason.
Yeah, everything says that he has "it" and should stay up, but I wouldn't put it past the organization to send him back, anyways, for roster management reasons. This is one reason why I wasn't thrilled with Durzi getting $1.7M a few weeks ago. That solidified his spot on the team, a spot that Clarke is now challenging for. The organization may decide to see what they have in the offensive, powerplay defenseman that they just committed to and figure that another year of juniors won't hurt Clarke... and even if Clarke stays up, he may not get the best powerplay time.
That said, at least the Kings are very seriously considering Clarke. You can tell by the fact that he was, I think, the only player to participate in all three rookie games over a week ago and then was one of only three to play in the first two preseason games, which were on back-to-back nights in different cities. They're giving him every chance to impress them and it's hard to imagine him not getting at least the 9 games.
That said, at least the Kings are very seriously considering Clarke. You can tell by the fact that he was, I think, the only player to participate in all three rookie games over a week ago and then was one of only three to play in the first two preseason games, which were on back-to-back nights in different cities. They're giving him every chance to impress them and it's hard to imagine him not getting at least the 9 games.
- Jul 25, 2012
- 41,740
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I feel like there is always a good market for RHD... if Clarke deserves to be on the roster, i cant imagine itll be hard to facilitate a move of 1 of your RHD, to make room for him.
Roster mangement /shrug.... but if clarke makes the roster better/more competitive. ... with your moves the last year or so, you should have him dressed and playing.... i would consider a lot of the kings moves "going in".
It's not that it's hard to make room. It's that it's easier to not have to. Organizations often make the easier choice by sending down players who are waiver exempt so as to not lose players who are not. Would the Kings trade Walker to make room for Clarke or would they send down Clarke so that they could keep both? It's not hard for an organization to convince itself that the latter is better for the prospect and the team's depth than "rushing" the prospect and losing a proven NHLer.
Also, as I just suggested, it'd likely be Walker's spot that Clarke takes. Durzi won't be traded any time soon, not after his coming out last Spring and just being signed to a new contract. Even if Clarke takes Walker's spot, Durzi may still be ahead of him and get better opportunities. There's something to be said for having to earn your ice time and opportunities, but I also remember that Doughty was handed top ice time and #1 powerplay minutes as a rookie and that worked out fine for his development.
BigKing
Blake Out of Hell III: Back in to Hell
This is what I'm saying on the Kings Board. Rebuild is over.
Even with the RV trade and Danault signing, Blake held all of his top future assets while there were enticing players available that summer. Team made the playoffs and Blake made his first trade of one of his own draft picks plus a 1st round pick for Fiala: they are all-in.
If Clarke makes the team better now while you are still squeezing out what you can from Kopitar, you keep him up. It would be better for his development anyways.
Sean Walker. Nice dude. Bridge guy that was most likely not going to be on this team when it was ready to be a legit contender.
Choralone
Registered User
Yawney mentioned that Durzi could play both sides - the Kings may try to fit him on the left if he gets squeezed out on the right.
ConnorMcMullet
#12 Colby Cave
- Jun 10, 2017
- 10,332
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Man, Clarke looks incredible. His vision and command of the offensive zone is so impressive for his age.
ibleedkings
Rob Fake
Clarke’s gotta make the team, even Doughty said he is NHL ready. Nothing left to prove in the OHL.
Little Psycho
I solemnly swear I'm up to no good
The only other dman to play all preseason games was Doughty
Just realized Durzi is not in the lineup. We got a lot of dmen.
Just realized Durzi is not in the lineup. We got a lot of dmen.
Raccoon Jesus
Draft em but don't play em
If Clarke gets sent back to the OHL after all this, the hockey gods are coming for a sacrifice.
With the puck on his stick, he's rookie Drew.
With the puck on his stick, he's rookie Drew.
It's as if the Kings keep playing him because they're looking for signs that he's not NHL ready and any excuse to send him back to juniors and he keeps giving them nothing. Stubborn kid.
- Jul 25, 2012
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Kings gunna team Canada him
Cut him even though he deserves to play, or did you mean the other thing that Team Canada does?Kings gunna team Canada him
- Jul 25, 2012
- 41,740
- 38,183
Akrapovince
Registered User
- May 19, 2017
- 3,822
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Having a log jam on the right side is such a first world problem to have.
ConnorMcMullet
#12 Colby Cave
- Jun 10, 2017
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I'm not surprised Clarke looks more impressive against NHLers than you might expect from his games against junior competition. He isn't the type of guy to dominate the OHL purely based on his physical tools and skate end-to-end every other shift, but his exceptional IQ translates seamlessly to the big leagues. His intelligence is why I, along with others like @Dominance and @Pavel Buchnevich, ranked him 1st in 2021.
And to think that's after trading away Brock Faber.
And to think that's after trading away Brock Faber.
I just hope he won't end up as another botched promising young guy in the Kings organisation. There is already couple of them: Vilardi, Byfield(granted, Byfield can still turn it around) etc....
He was my contender for first overall along with Eklund on his draft year.
He was my contender for first overall along with Eklund on his draft year.
Raccoon Jesus
Draft em but don't play em
unicornpig
Registered User
- Dec 8, 2017
- 3,728
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how is byfield botched he's played barely half a season lol
To me he's kind of like the Matthew Boldy of defensive prospects. Above average to very good at nearly everything (IQ, size, skating, puck skills, etc.), and an obvious impact NHL player.
How anybody didn't recognize that this kid has "it" is beyond me.
How anybody didn't recognize that this kid has "it" is beyond me.
Raccoon Jesus
Draft em but don't play em
I think all that stuff was pretty obvious, the things they have noted in camp is the memes about bad defensively/risky were oversold. He's aggressive, for sure, though.
Pavels Dog
Registered User
I’m guessing that play isn’t super popular among coaches.
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