Ollie Weeks
the sea does not dream of you
- Feb 28, 2008
- 13,250
- 2,546
I don’t think he said “obviously” once. One of the better prospect interviews I can remember watching. Really liking this pick.
Brandt Clarke U18 2021 Highlights
He really sees the ice and has uncanny ability to hit anyone he wants to with a crisp pass - often a secondary (and more dangerous threat) option...and that option others would not even see. It's because of his elite vision and patience. Not to go with the obvious option 1. Impressive as H E double L hockey sticks.
God those clips of him shaking checks and dictating the breakouts, unreal
I watched that entire clip for a third time. Those skating legs are the only reason the Kings were able to get him at #8. I honestly think many a scout and GM just kind of cringed a little at watching that skating of his; if his skating form was textbook and looked better (but not necessarily be much better power / speed even) he would have gone top 4.
Owen Power cannot even come close to what Clarke can do....nor Edvinsson. I like Hughes, but I think Clarke is better.
So, just keep working as he is dedicated to do and he will get stronger and probably have somewhat better technique and power.
It's that brain and sense that he has - one that will make the Kings PP be in the top 1/3 for a decade. He may never be first unit PK, but who cares?
He is sound defensively and his brain and quickness to make correct reads will go a long way in the D zone. He also asserts himself and works hard. Many offensive defenseman are not
so great defensively. He will have Bjornfot or Anderson as a LHD partner and will be a great tandem.
"we have never had a defenseman with his offensive abilities" (I am probably a little off what Yannetti said, so not quoting him)
can you point to an example in the video of his knock kneed skating. I’m a few beers deep but I don’t see it.
Hi skating stride, both of his knees are kind of pinching inwards....the opposite of someone being bow legged. It just looks weak and that it appears as though
if your knees were straightly aligned, you would get better balance and power. His edges are good and he is decpetive on his skates. His speed is relatively good.
Decent quickness. He can do spins and be evasive. But those knees facing towards each other, in no way can be the best technique.
I had said I would have taken Guenther since goal scoring wings are a need as well but I also said I don't know anything. I'm perfectly fine with the pick since he fits a real need in the pipeline as well since I'm not so sure how much Grans can be counted on. If there is an argument that Guenther/Clarke are equal (If there is an argument) then I'm probably going to lean to the defenseman.
You can hear the excitement in Yannetti's voice when he described Clarke as being the type of defenseman the Kings have never had in all his years with the team.
That's also quite the compliment, and also a sign of how little offensive talent from the blueline the Kings have developed since drafting Doughty/Voynov in 2008.
It's funny because the more I watch him, despite the comparisons to other dmen, the one I see most is Klingberg.
Random bouts of slipperyness when you think he's about to get checked, gets through like a knife through hot butter, great skater even if strange stride.
I love this kid, well spoken, humble personally and confident in his on-ice abilities.
I watched that entire clip for a third time. How could 7 teams pass on him? Those skating legs are the only reason the Kings were able to get him at #8. I honestly think many a scout and GM just kind of cringed a little at watching that skating of his; if his skating form was textbook and looked better (but not necessarily be much better power / speed even) he would have gone top 4. Owen Power cannot even come close to what Clarke can do....nor Edvinsson. I like Hughes, but I think Clarke is better.
So, just keep working as he is dedicated to do and he will get stronger and probably have somewhat better technique and power. It's that brain and sense that he has - one that will make the Kings PP be in the top 1/3 for a decade. I envision Arty scoring 35+ goals annually and getting a big multi year contract...he will owe 10% of it to Brandt.
He may never be first unit PK, but who cares? He is sound defensively and his brain and quickness to make correct reads will go a long way in the D zone. He also asserts himself and works hard. Many offensive defenseman are not so great defensively. He will have Bjornfot or Anderson as a LHD partner and will be a great tandem.
"we have never had a defenseman with his offensive abilities" (I am probably a little off what Yannetti said, so not quoting him)
I love this kid, well spoken, humble personally and confident in his on-ice abilities.
Clarke had 6 goals, 7 Assists in 26 games and a +6 in a mens league last season. I don't care what league it is that's pretty good.
He's made it work at every level and it doesn't slow him down at all. Still expect him to be a dominant player.
One article pointed out the major reason it causes concern is it forces him to be 'pot committed' to everything, he's leaning forward and in so instead of being agile/ready to cut on an outside edge, a guy can shake him because he's going basically forward no matter what.