Prospect Info: At 8th Overall the Kings Select Brandt Clarke

[Noonan61]

I actually don't think I've seen him take a single slap shot

One of the most dangerous shooters I have seen from the point is Brent Burns. He is so good at not only finding the lane, but he rarely ever goes for the slapper. Its all wrist shots and snap shots. If he does wind up, its short and quick. Lethal shot. Very much the opposite of Doughty who takes centuries to wind up and release his slap shot.

 

[Steve Zissou]

 

[Reclamation Project]

Do they need to borrow one of our 30 RHD?

 

[DrHansReinhardt]

I'm wondering how many of the negative clips came from his first handful of games in Europe. Brandt admittedly was getting pushed around at first. He said it took him a couple games to get acclimated to the physicality of playing against men. His numbers were better in the latter half of his stint in Europe. I think think playing in Europe advanced his development for sure. If he doesn't make the Kings, I can see him utterly dominating his jr league.

I can't freaking wait for this kid to make the big club.

 

[Master Yoda]

Durzi's window is closing. 23 next season and he still doesn't get it. Makes horrible decisions with the puck. Braden Doyle looked better and he's 3 years younger.

Durzi did look better and much more settled in the latter part of the season.
I don't know if that's him turning a corner or just a result of playing with Moverare. (I think he played with Moverare?)

 

[PumperNichol]

Durzi did look better and much more settled in the latter part of the season.
I don't know if that's him turning a corner or just a result of playing with Moverare. (I think he played with Moverare?)

I thought he looked better for HIM but, I see the multitude of prospects passing him shortly. Brickley would also look better at seasons end only to revert back the following season. I have nothing against Durzi but if you're working on the same things going into your age 23 season...something went wrong.

 

[Lt Dan]

Do they need to borrow one of our 30 RHD?

 

[Master Yoda]

I thought he looked better for HIM but, I see the multitude of prospects passing him shortly. Brickley would also look better at seasons end only to revert back the following season. I have nothing against Durzi but if you're working on the same things going into your age 23 season...something went wrong.

We'll see if it's just a good stretch of games or he's really turned a corner.
It's definitely going to be a big year for him and a few other guys in that age group like Clague, Strand, Phillips, and even Moverare to a degree.
There are only so many roster spots and now with guys like Clarke, Faber coming into the system, all these guys need to take big steps to stay relevant.

 

[Steve Zissou]

Byfield our next Kopitar... Brandt Clarke our next Doughty?

What better players for these two kids to learn from.





Craig Button is still an idiot though. ::cough JMFJ / Carter trade::

 

[Reclamation Project]

Was listening to a documentary earlier and they brought up Ray Bourque. "He was an outstanding offensive defenseman that was drafted #8 in the first round. He just drove offense like few players back there could." Got me thinking and hoping........

 

[Basilisk]

Was listening to a documentary earlier and they brought up Ray Bourque. "He was an outstanding offensive defenseman that was drafted #8 in the first round. He just drove offense like few players back there could." Got me thinking and hoping........

Wasn't it the case that we had owned that 1st round pick (Bourque's draft), yet ended up trading the pick in a real bad deal? I seem to recall something like that.....

 

[BringTheReign]

Wasn't it the case that we had owned that 1st round pick (Bourque's draft), yet ended up trading the pick in a real bad deal? I seem to recall something like that.....

Yes, I believe we traded it for a goalie who played two seasons for us or something like that.

 

[Basilisk]

Yes, I believe we traded it for a goalie who played two seasons for us or something like that.

To make it worse, was that goalie in some beer commercial (circa '82 or '83) wherein the song/slogan at the time was "Bring Out Your Best...." .....or am I totally nutz???

 

[BringTheReign]

To make it worse, was that goalie in some beer commercial (circa '82 or '83) wherein the song/slogan at the time was "Bring Out Your Best...." .....or am I totally nutz???

I tried to remember off the top of my head, but eventually had to look it up. It was Ron Grahame, who is John Grahame's dad and wife to Charlotte Grahame. Interestingly enough, John and Charlotte are the only mother/son duo to have their names on the Stanley Cup. John as the backup goalie with the '04 Lightning and Charlotte as part of the executive management team with the '01 Avalanche. Pretty rad trivia even though it came at the cost of my favorite player of all time playing for my favorite team.

 

[Telos]

 

[Peter James Bond II]

wowzetta. severely awesome. the Cup is ours...in 2024.

Defenseman Brandt Clarke signs three-year, entry-level contract with Kings - LA Kings Insider

 

[cyclones22]

I can't wait to hear how this kid looks in development camp. He's got that IT factor look about his game. I wouldn't be shocked at all if he's pushing his way into the Kings lineup sooner than expected.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I can't wait to hear how this kid looks in development camp. He's got that IT factor look about his game. I wouldn't be shocked at all if he's pushing his way into the Kings lineup sooner than expected.

Agreed, he's got that Doughty/Makar game-processing brain in a way none of our other prospects do.

 

[King'sPawn]

Great news. As a reminder (not throwing water on this), essentially the implications matter more at season's end. While on the one hand, this gives the Kings the opportunity to play him in the NHL to start, it also gives them the flexibility to assign him to Ontario after his OHL season concludes.

 

[kingsfan28]

One of the most dangerous shooters I have seen from the point is Brent Burns. He is so good at not only finding the lane, but he rarely ever goes for the slapper. Its all wrist shots and snap shots. If he does wind up, its short and quick. Lethal shot. Very much the opposite of Doughty who takes centuries to wind up and release his slap shot.

Doughty also closes his eyes and has no idea where it's going.

 

[kilowatt]

Doughty also closes his eyes and has no idea where it's going.

To be fair he learned that from Jarret Stoll.

 

[Jason Squirties]

Doughty also closes his eyes and has no idea where it's going.

Funnily enough, that's how I'd describe my sex drive as well.

 

[Steve Zissou]

Funnily enough, that's how I'd describe my sex drive as well.

Keep shooting, Squirties.

 

[BringTheReign]

I cannot find it now, but I either read or listened to a podcast that discussed Clarke's perceived skating issues. The reporter/prospects person mentioned that they'd given clips of Clarke to two separate skating coaches, and both separately agreed that it was more of a strength and core stability issue that could be addressed effectively.

Given that, I agree, it wouldn't surprise me if he arrived on the scene sooner than most prospects do.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I cannot find it now, but I either read or listened to a podcast that discussed Clarke's perceived skating issues. The reporter/prospects person mentioned that they'd given clips of Clarke to two separate skating coaches, and both separately agreed that it was more of a strength and core stability issue that could be addressed effectively.

Given that, I agree, it wouldn't surprise me if he arrived on the scene sooner than most prospects do.

It's kind of the Doughty vs. Bogosian thing, right?

Bogo is already a monster, trains like a pro...vs. the guy who can do ALL THAT who is playing 25 lbs overweight? What's he gonna be like if he gets a regimen together?

Imagine Clarke with Gary Roberts and a skating coach. The rest of the stuff is unteachable.

Yet--I also wonder if part of why he is so deceptive is the goofy ass stride. I remember a young Doughty escaping contact a lot of the time making moves that didn't make any sense, so of course they'd throw off a checker (weird weight distribution, etc)