Is Kings’ Brandt Clarke the NHL’s next top star defenseman?

Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images

For the prospect sickos out there, you probably remember the 2018-19 Don Mills Flyers AAA U-16 squad.

Led by eventual exceptional status forward Shane Wright, the team won 77 times. They only lost one game – in overtime – and none in regulation. They even made it onto network television in Canada when they won the OHL Cup final in the spring.

Six players from that club were drafted to the NHL, led by Wright’s fourth overall selection by the Seattle Kraken. But the team’s backbone was current Los Angeles Kings defenseman Brandt Clarke, the most prominent NHLer of the group today.

Clarke has emerged in a big way in his first full NHL season. He’s not eligible for the Calder Trophy because he played in six or more games in each of the past two campaigns. We’d likely be talking about a Calder frontrunner if he hadn’t. After struggling to earn ice time deep in the Kings’ lineup the past few years, Clarke has 12 points in 14 games, putting him on pace for 75 points. If it sticks, It would be one of the best first full seasons in recent NHL memory.

Clarke’s inflated numbers can be partly attributed to Drew Doughty’s absence on the Kings’ blueline, but Clarke is making the most of his opportunity. And if you’ve watched him in any meaningful capacity the past few years, it shouldn’t be surprising – Clarke entered the season as Daily Faceoff’s ninth-ranked prospect across the NHL.

The Ottawa, Ontario native had 113 points in 73 games in his final year with Don Mills. Clarke then established himself as one of the OHL’s top young players, proving he can be dangerous with just about anyone.

Clarke was a surprise omission from Canada’s World Junior team in 2021-22, with some believing his own-zone play was the culprit. Nobody would deny that Clarke felt more like an offense-first defender – driving the play from the point was his specialty. But pretty much nobody could do it at the level Clarke could.

He got into his first pro action the following year, but after 14 games between Los Angeles and the AHL’s Ontario Reign, Clarke was sent back to Barrie. What transpired was one of the most incredible offensive runs ever seen in the OHL by a defenseman, with Clarke scoring 23 goals and 61 points in just 31 regular season games. No defenseman in the 21st century has come close to touching Clarke’s 1.97 points-per-game average.

Clarke’s AHL rookie season in 2023-24 was one of the most productive seasons by a U-21 defenseman in AHL history, scoring 10 goals and 46 points in 50 games. He also started hitting harder than scouts remembered.

“Once there wasn’t a concern of getting sent back to junior, it seemed like Clarke was willing to take more risks out there and try different things,” one scout said. “And it made him better for it.”

And here we are – watching a gifted, uber-talented defenseman with an incredible skill set. Great shot? Check. Excellent hockey sense? You bet. A competitive edge few his age have? Absolutely. But skating is still a concern, even if it hasn’t been a big issue just yet. He still has a tendency to lose puck races against average speedsters. Backward skating, in particular, is still a problem here. The 6-foot-2 defender skates hunched over, with scouts pointing out that it can be difficult for a player to adjust on the fly and change his stride. And without the big body to simply work as a block, quick movements by opponents can turn out to be a killer for Clarke.

He’ll never be mistaken for a bone-crushing defender, and he does most of his damage with his active stick work. But there’s still a need for him to add a bit more speed and mobility to his game to make himself more comfortable in the long run, especially as opponents start to figure him out.

Clarke is best when he’s left to play his own game—like Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson. Clarke is one of the most offensively gifted young defenders in the game today, and trying to mold him into something else would be a mistake.

“You can’t teach his hockey IQ,” another scout said. “His mind is gold for NHL coaches.”

And so far, Kings coach Jim Hiller knows that – that’s why Clarke plays with a solid, defensive defenseman in Joel Edmundson. Clarke doesn’t need to do more than he’s capable of – he can play his own game. Clarke is the team’s top power-play quarterback, and he is given competitive top-four minutes.

Clarke’s 2.1 points per game is sixth among all NHL defensemen at 5-on-5 this season. His 6.81 on the power play is 12th. According to Moneypuck, Clarke’s 54 percent Corsi is tied for 20th in the NHL among 109 defensemen with at least 200 minutes played. A bit specific, sure. But those are excellent numbers for someone his age who plays a significant role early on.

Clarke’s first full foray into the National Hockey League has probably gone better than even the team expected. But people who watched him closely throughout his career knew it was possible. Few defenders can do things with the puck that he can – the play reads, the shot, everything.

The Kings may have found their long-term Doughty replacement in a world where offensive defensemen are becoming so coveted across the board. It’s still extremely early, and we can expect some ups and downs. But Brandt Clarke deserves your full attention right now.

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Is Kings’ Brandt Clarke the NHL’s next top star defenseman?

Article presented by Amazon Prime

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