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

[Doug Prishpreed]

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.

The argument for Buffalo taking Beniers is more that he’s closest to being NHL-ready than the others in that top tier, and Sabres need bodies.

 

[Flameshomer]

He reminds me of a 6'2 Adam Fox. I think he's the best player in the upcoming draft.

 

[DatDude44]

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.

totally agree with what you’re getting at and I’m not against Clarke at all, I just don’t think any of their current centers bring what beniers brings, he has so many comparative traits to guys like toews and ROR. He’s the exact type of player they need outside of eichel to in my opinion “bring it all together” I agree they’re are needs on the back end, but I don’t think it’s as dire as u think. Dahlin is Dahlin, Jokiharju is smart, Bryson look to be a legit complimentary piece on a 2nd or 3rd pair, Samuelson should be a solid 3rd Pair PK type that brings physicality, size and can play hard minutes. McCabe coming back in my opinion will be big for them in a heightened but similiar role as samuels son. Then they have guys like Ryan Johnson, will Borgen and antti Laaksonen in the cupboard.
I think if they can sign a veteran type like in the realm of a Hamonic or Braun to play hard minutes(actually defend well) and mentor their young group that they’d be in pretty good shape.

 

[bsu]

He reminds me of a 6'2 Adam Fox. I think he's the best player in the upcoming draft.

That would be nice

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

totally agree with what you’re getting at and I’m not against Clarke at all, I just don’t think any of their current centers bring what beniers brings, he has so many comparative traits to guys like toews and ROR. He’s the exact type of player they need outside of eichel to in my opinion “bring it all together” I agree they’re are needs on the back end, but I don’t think it’s as dire as u think. Dahlin is Dahlin, Jokiharju is smart, Bryson look to be a legit complimentary piece on a 2nd or 3rd pair, Samuelson should be a solid 3rd Pair PK type that brings physicality, size and can play hard minutes. McCabe coming back in my opinion will be big for them in a heightened but similiar role as samuels son. Then they have guys like Ryan Johnson, will Borgen and antti Laaksonen in the cupboard.
I think if they can sign a veteran type like in the realm of a Hamonic or Braun to play hard minutes(actually defend well) and mentor their young group that they’d be in pretty good shape.

Good points. Also the fact that Beniers is closer to being NHL-ready will hopefully make him the more attractive choice.

Personally I feel that Beniers is BPA at #1 but sounds like scouts like the D men more.

 

[Hale The Villain]

He reminds me of a 6'2 Adam Fox. I think he's the best player in the upcoming draft.

Fox is a genius level IQ. Might be the smartest D in the league.

Clarke isn't stupid or lacking in IQ, but he's nowhere near as smart.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

Fox is a genius level IQ. Might be the smartest D in the league.

Clarke isn't stupid or lacking in IQ, but he's nowhere near as smart.

Are you comparing them now or as prospects? I don’t think anyone expects even top prospects to be as smart as an NHL player.

And scouts had more concerns about Fox at the next level than they seem to with Clarke (not necessarily IQ-related but still worth noting).

 

[Hale The Villain]

Are you comparing them now or as prospects? I don’t think anyone expects even top prospects to be as smart as an NHL player.

And scouts had more concerns about Fox at the next level than they seem to with Clarke (not necessarily IQ-related but still worth noting).

Now and as prospects. Was clear that Fox was extremely intelligent even when he was a prospect.

Concerns with him were more related to his size and skating ability than his IQ or talent level.

 

[Dominance]

Now and as prospects. Was clear that Fox was extremely intelligent even when he was a prospect.

Concerns with him were more related to his size and skating ability than his IQ or talent level.

Who is possibly questioning Clarke’s IQ? It’s by far his greatest strength.

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

Fox is a genius level IQ. Might be the smartest D in the league.

Clarke isn't stupid or lacking in IQ, but he's nowhere near as smart.

Clarke is an exceptionally smart and creative player with the puck. I think the Fox comparison holds up pretty well. In their respective draft years they both clearly showed a ton of skill and smarts but needed to make some material, post-draft skating improvements. Neither is the biggest guy in their draft class. Fox was obviously successful in doing so. Time will tell whether Clarke does the same.

 

[Hale The Villain]

Who is possibly questioning Clarke’s IQ? It’s by far his greatest strength.

I'd argue his skill with the puck is his great strength. More skilled than smart IMO.

Again, not saying he's stupid or has low IQ.

 

[Dominance]

I'd argue his skill with the puck is his great strength. More skilled than smart IMO.

Again, not saying he's stupid or has low IQ.

I think his skill stands out so much because he’s so intelligent in getting to the right areas and instinctively avoiding pressure and manipulating defensive structures. We’ll have to agree to disagree.

 

[nergish]

Fox is a genius level IQ. Might be the smartest D in the league.

Clarke isn't stupid or lacking in IQ, but he's nowhere near as smart.

Sure, but Clarke is also now 6'2 190lbs. He'll probably clear 200lbs fully matured.
Q. Hughes, Makar, Fox are all "smarter" players than Clarke, and better skaters, but he's really not that far off... and with his size he could definitely grow into a true 1D if he puts it all together.
He also has a very nice shot, I could see him scoring more goals than those guys.

All I know is if my Canucks are picking 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th - it's Clarke all the way.

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

Sure, but Clarke is also now 6'2 190lbs. He'll probably clear 200lbs fully matured.
Q. Hughes, Makar, Fox are all "smarter" players than Clarke, and better skaters, but he's really not that far off... and with his size he could definitely grow into a true 1D if he puts it all together.
He also has a very nice shot, I could see him scoring more goals than those guys.

All I know is if my Canucks are picking 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th - it's Clarke all the way.

If you think Clarke is 6'2" I have a bridge to sell you in Key West.

 

[goonybird]

If you think Clarke is 6'2" I have a bridge to sell you in Key West.

does Key West not have bridges?

 

[PDX Flyer]

does Key West not have bridges?

This went waaaay over your head

 

[nergish]

If you think Clarke is 6'2" I have a bridge to sell you in Key West.

Perhaps you have some insider information that I don't...
But he appears to be one of the biggest guys on his Slovak team... look at the huddle at 1:00 mark.

 

[clay]

Impressed with him this semifinal and this is definitely nitpicking, but he really needs to stop beaver tapping his stick every time he wants the puck. He's done it several times already this game. Terrible habit he needs to kick.

 

[goonybird]

This went waaaay over your head

if you think that went way over my head, I've got a bridge in Brooklyn to sell ya

 

[bsu]

Klingberg vibes from me.

 

[Shroud of Orrin]

Is there any comparison in Clarke's game to Hamilton's at the same age? If Clarke's weight/height are accurate he's not that far off physically where Dougie was, a couple inches and 5 pounds. Maybe he's not the all-situations player Hamilton was at the same age?

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

Is there any comparison in Clarke's game to Hamilton's at the same age? If Clarke's weight/height are accurate he's not that far off physically where Dougie was, a couple inches and 5 pounds. Maybe he's not the all-situations player Hamilton was at the same age?

They look very similar as prospects, if I'm remembering correctly.

https://thehockeywriters.com/the-ne...raft-prospect-profile-the-next-big-blueliner/

2011 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Dougie Hamilton

 

[BCNate]

Sure, but Clarke is also now 6'2 190lbs. He'll probably clear 200lbs fully matured.
Q. Hughes, Makar, Fox are all "smarter" players than Clarke, and better skaters, but he's really not that far off... and with his size he could definitely grow into a true 1D if he puts it all together.
He also has a very nice shot, I could see him scoring more goals than those guys.

All I know is if my Canucks are picking 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th - it's Clarke all the way.

I would be 100% OK with the Canucks taking him in any draft position. I can't see him being on the board past #5.

 

[bsu]

Ducks taking him then having Drysdale and Clarke on the right side for the next 10 years would be crazy.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

Impressed with him this semifinal and this is definitely nitpicking, but he really needs to stop beaver tapping his stick every time he wants the puck. He's done it several times already this game. Terrible habit he needs to kick.

Sabres prospect Oskari Laaksonen used to do this, it annoyed the hell out of me. But they're kids and that kind of thing fixes itself as the they become pro, if you know what I mean. He eventually stopped as he matured, as I'm sure Clarke will.