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

[BadgerBruce]

That's not true. The Colts loaned him, he is still under the same rules unless there is no OHL season next year.

Perhaps — but as Elliotte Friedman reported in this week’s 31 Thoughts, the issue is anything but settled.

“I looked into it and was told these things still need to be sorted out.”

31 Thoughts: What the Turner Sports TV deal means for the NHL
(It’s # 21)

 

[Mickey Marner]

His skating is great north-south. Great speed heading in that direction. His edgework when walking the offensive blueline looked stiff but not terrible. If he can clean up that part of his game then this kid is going to be absolutely deadly.

One of the comparisons I've seen thrown out there for Clarke is EK53 and I'm not sure he's going to be that kind of offensive defenseman, but Dougie Hamilton is another guy I'd consider as in Clarke's range of possible outcomes. Or maybe even prime Mike Green.

Karlsson wears 65. But I agree his skating isn't at the Makar/Karlsson level.

 

[newfy]

People generally say international tournaments lead to overreaction but I think this year its going to be the best thing scouts have to go on. If Clarke keeps playing the way he is, I could see him very easily being the second dman off the board

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

This should also allow him to play in the AHL next season, since the requirement to stay in Canadian junior hockey is based on where you were playing when drafted. If he’s drafted after playing in Slovakia, it’s AHL for BC.

Friedman said this it hasn’t been decided yet whether these players will be classified as drafted out of the CHL. I don’t know why these transactions we saw this year wouldn’t be considered loans. These players didn’t end their contracts with their CHL teams.

 

[peconcan]

This kid is so good but does anyone else agree he looks really weird out there the way he skates and even when he’s lined up for a faceoff?

 

[Korpse]

Friedman said this it hasn’t been decided yet whether these players will be classified as drafted out of the CHL. I don’t know why these transactions we saw this year wouldn’t be considered loans. These players didn’t end their contracts with their CHL teams.

The OHL failing to but together a season complicates matters on their end. I wouldn't be surprised if a number of players don't return to the OHL who under normal circumstances would have to.

 

[Hollel]

 

[Ed Ned and Leddy]

What's the value of CF% and CF when you're playing for Canada against Belarus and Latvia?

I think there's a totally sound argument for Clarke as the top blueliner in this class, but I wouldn't base it off this tournament. This Canadian team is stacked and they're just battering kids out there. I know some of the OHL kids didn't get a chance to play this year, so you don't have a lot to go off. But I hope scouts are looking at Clarke's 20+ pro games in Slovakia more than this tournament when evaluating him.

 

[Antiillafire]

It would be awesome for him to go first overall and here them say on TSN or Sportsnet “From
Nove Zamky of the Slovak Tipos extraliga Brandt Clarke.”

 

[BigHitter67]

It would be awesome for him to go first overall and here them say on TSN or Sportsnet “From
Nove Zamky of the Slovak Tipos extraliga Brandt Clarke.”

suppose you can dream but chances are slim

 

[Zach716]

As a Sabres fan this is the guy I want

 

[TheSnipeshow91]

As a Sabres fan this is the guy I want

As a Canucks fan y’all already had Dahlin and Risto let us have this one

 

[Wandering Cynic]

Brandt Clarke and Kent Johnson are my two top picks in this draft.

I could see Clarke being the next Cale Makar.

 

[Zach716]

As a Canucks fan y’all already had Dahlin and Risto let us have this one

Risto shouldn't even be in this convo

But really one of our teams having Brandt w/ Dahlin or Hughes for the next decade would be a treat.

 

[BKarchitect]

I’m not sure the last top prospect like this whose skating reports and qualities were so all over the map. I know it’s only against other 18 year-olds but his skating looks pretty good to me overall. Is it is slightly less than elegant visually that is causing the concern? Is there something about his skating posture that is raising red flags in terms of him continuing to develop that aspect? I mean he’s not generationally explosive like Makar and doesn’t have the effortless smooth perfect glide of Drysdale but I feel like the standard for what constitutes acceptable skating quality in a prospect should not be two of the best skating blueline prospects in a decade.

I’m not an expert on Clarke but I kind of like the Hamilton comp in terms of effective upside (obviously very different frames) in terms of maybe not the most elegant guys out there but just crazy good offensive IQ and tools.

 

[thethinglonger]

Here's another shift by shift from a game in March (in 4k!):

 

[kyle44]

I’m not sure the last top prospect like this whose skating reports and qualities were so all over the map. I know it’s only against other 18 year-olds but his skating looks pretty good to me overall. Is it is slightly less than elegant visually that is causing the concern? Is there something about his skating posture that is raising red flags in terms of him continuing to develop that aspect? I mean he’s not generationally explosive like Makar and doesn’t have the effortless smooth perfect glide of Drysdale but I feel like the standard for what constitutes acceptable skating quality in a prospect should not be two of the best skating blueline prospects in a decade.

I’m not an expert on Clarke but I kind of like the Hamilton comp in terms of effective upside (obviously very different frames) in terms of maybe not the most elegant guys out there but just crazy good offensive IQ and tools.

For me its simply his skating style; it looks knock-kneed and "clunky". From an eye test perspective, it looks like he's struggling to get around even if he actually is moving efficiently. I think he's still a pretty good skater overall, and will likely make improvements as he develops, but I can see how it can turn some people off.

 

[Oneiro]

This kid is so impressive. A lot is made of his offensive play but I see the makings of a great defender in his own zone.

He has 5 on 5 general written all over him.

 

[habsrule4eva3089]

Here's another shift by shift from a game in March (in 4k!):

Brilliant mind for the game, I see what people mean by clunky skater.

He's moves like a 2011 Toyota Corolla but with the efficiency of the 2021 version. If you catch my drift.

 

[Ita]

He seems like a very good player except for his skating. We all know how important skating is if you want to play in the NHL. Is this a major concern for any team drafting him?

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

For me its simply his skating style; it looks knock-kneed and "clunky". From an eye test perspective, it looks like he's struggling to get around even if he actually is moving efficiently. I think he's still a pretty good skater overall, and will likely make improvements as he develops, but I can see how it can turn some people off.

It's a technique issue, not a power or speed issue. A couple of offseasons polishing up on that technique and all will be well.

 

[DatDude44]

As a Sabres fan this is the guy I want

Over power? I personally think Beniers is the exact type of center they need to infuse into their lineup long term. As the Robin to Eichels Batman.

 

[displacedsabre]

As a Sabres fan Id be cool with it, Im a bit tired of the we need Beniers as a center talk, since weve been hearing about that for years. Sam Reinhart should be the center, no you should take Casey Mitts he will be a good center, no Dylan Cozens is what you are looking for at center. Im tired of hearing about these centers we have to take so we can finally have a 2C behind Eichel.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

Over power? I personally think Beniers is the exact type of center they need to infuse into their lineup long term. As the Robin to Eichels Batman.

Sabres are even worse on Defense - with Eichel, Cozens, Mittelstadt, and Reinhart (moved to C this season), center isn’t super high on the “needs” list. And since Buffalo likes their higher-risk big swings with their high draft picks, I can easily see them taking Clarke over Power.

 

[Bigshow747]

I don't know how his skate compares but he reminds me a lot of John Klingberg. Wonky skating style, but effective and sky high hockey IQ.