Kings Article: LA Kings Are “Counting On” D Prospect Brandt Clarke To Make Kings 2023-24 Roster

[FrozenRoyalty]

Defenseman prospect Brandt Clarke was the focus for all of us who cover the LA Kings at the first day of their 2023 Development Camp. He's impressive to talk to. Mature, confident in his play, knows he can always improve, and he wants to get better. Former Kings defenseman Sean O'Donnell had a lot to say about him, too.

It's all here...

LA Kings Are “Counting On” D Prospect Brandt Clarke To Make Kings 2023-24 Roster

EL SEGUNDO, CA — The Los Angeles Kings 2023 Development Camp for their young prospects got underway on July 6, 2023, and defenseman Brandt Clarke was the center of attention, and with good re…

frozenroyalty.net

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[Sol]

Really solid article and some good info from O’Donnell.

I was expecting the training staff to also mention that Clarke too will be converted into a winger as well.

 

[mr2padstack]

Interesting OD threw Durzi under the bus, saying he continously made the same mistakes over and over forcing things--gotta respect the true talk.

 

[Bandit]

"We're counting on Cal to take the next step".

Whoopsie.

 

[lumbergh]

Interesting notes about Clarke’s weight. I think that was a major factor in the way the Kings moved Clarke around last season. He might have been mentally and skill wise ready for the big leagues, but the Kings wanted him to be more physically ready for defending NHL players.

Good to read that he’s near the 200 lb mark. The notes about the size of the Golden Knights D are insightful. Great article, Gann!

 

[Schrute farms]

If Durzi was so bad and continually made the same mistakes, then why did this coaching staff keep putting him on the ice and in pressure D positions (tied or up/down 1 late, on the PK, LHD)? Why not shelter him and utilize him in spots where he can...hmmm, idk....succeed maybe?!?!

 

[johnjm22]

If Durzi was so bad and continually made the same mistakes, then why did this coaching staff keep putting him on the ice and in pressure D positions (tied or up/down 1 late, on the PK, LHD)? Why not shelter him and utilize him in spots where he can...hmmm, idk....succeed maybe?!?!

I guess they felt they had no other options?

Todd really seems to dislike Bjornfot. But Toby doesn't seem anywhere near as mistake prone as Durzi.

Even Moverare was a better option IMO.

 

[Bandit]

If Durzi was so bad and continually made the same mistakes, then why did this coaching staff keep putting him on the ice and in pressure D positions (tied or up/down 1 late, on the PK, LHD)? Why not shelter him and utilize him in spots where he can...hmmm, idk....succeed maybe?!?!

I mean yes but honestly I didn’t read that as OD taking shots at Durzi, just that Clarke reminds him somewhat of Durzi. The rest seemed generic.

 

[johnjm22]

PLAYER	GP	Plus/Minus
Michael Anderson	77	20
Vladislav Gavrikov 1	20	12
Drew Doughty	81	12
Matt Roy	82	8
Tobias Bjornfot	10	1
Jordan Spence	6	1
Jacob Moverare	2	-1
Brandt Clarke	9	-1
Alexander Edler	64	-1
Sean Walker	70	-3
Sean Durzi	72	-12

They say plus/minus is a worthless stat. But when one of your guys has an outlier negative +/- while not even getting the toughest matchups, I think that tells you something.

 

[AbsentMojo]

If Durzi was so bad and continually made the same mistakes, then why did this coaching staff keep putting him on the ice and in pressure D positions (tied or up/down 1 late, on the PK, LHD)? Why not shelter him and utilize him in spots where he can...hmmm, idk....succeed maybe?!?!

He was given the kind of leeway you'd more want Kaliyev and others to get. And the thing that is even more of a head scratcher is that Durzi was not going to improve his skating.. he was slow, is slow and will always be slow. Of all the prospects to develop he was the last one Id be giving extra assignments e.g. 2LD and PK that you mentioned... then they ditch him. If that was to drive up his trade value, was it worth it? F no it wasnt.

 

[Ollie Weeks]

I mean yes but honestly I didn’t read that as OD taking shots at Durzi, just that Clarke reminds him somewhat of Durzi. The rest seemed generic.

Yeah, I didn’t connect those dots either. Seemed like some big inferences being made.

 

[Statto]

PLAYER	GP	Plus/Minus
Michael Anderson	77	20
Vladislav Gavrikov 1	20	12
Drew Doughty	81	12
Matt Roy	82	8
Tobias Bjornfot	10	1
Jordan Spence	6	1
Jacob Moverare	2	-1
Brandt Clarke	9	-1
Alexander Edler	64	-1
Sean Walker	70	-3
Sean Durzi	72	-12

They say plus/minus is a worthless stat. But when one of your guys has an outlier negative +/- while not even getting the toughest matchups, I think that tells you something.

A good example of where it tells a story but needs supporting context… add the giveaway numbers as a starter as that’ll support it. It then tells an even bigger story over 2-3 seasons. It’s a great stat when used properly, not how it was getting used to assess Clarke on a daily basis.

 

[Statto]

If he comes into camp at 205 we can put to bed the ‘need’ to go to the AHL because he’s too skinny.

 

[Schrute farms]

Clarke -- 205lbs:

 

[Steve Zissou]

Clarke -- 205lbs:
View attachment 726962

Total Recall vibes.

 

[chris kontos]

Yeah, I didn’t connect those dots either. Seemed like some big inferences being made.

I got that as well.
Scares the crap out of me that durzi is even mentioned with clarke.
Durzi would have been better off playing forward because he sure as hell isnt an nhl defenseman

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

also, "we need Kaliyev in our top 6" last offseason vibes

Count on Clarke starting the season at LHD for the swamp rabbits

 

[Maynard]

Total Recall vibes.

I think Kuato is a mod here.