Brandt Clarke article

[Dirtweazle]

Yummy reading. Now my keyboard is sticky..

https://hockeyroyalty.com/2021/08/01/la-kings-brandt-clarke-became-a-leader-as-a-first-time-pro/?fbclid=IwAR2rhY9te2DrUq_PLHXlfDz_KT-li2-r5CNGO2Cz1_XVcRPyO4II6HSRHm0

Craig Button gushing..
https://twitter.com/LAKings/status/1423111767895408645?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1423111767895408645%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fdisqus.com%2Fembed%2Fcomments%2F%3Fbase%3Ddefaultf%3Dlakingsinsiderblogt_i%3D13827220http3A2F2Flakingsinsider.com2F3Fp3D138272t_u%3Dhttps3A2F2Flakingsinsider.com2F20212F082F042Fkings-prospects-complete-summer-showcase-events-in-advance-of-world-juniors2Ft_e%3DKings20prospects20complete20summer20showcase20events2C20in20advance20of20World20Juniorst_d%3DKings20prospects20complete20summer20showcase20events2C20in20advance20of20World20Juniorst_t%3DKings20prospects20complete20summer20showcase20events2C20in20advance20of20World20Juniorss_o%3Ddefaultversion%3D7302391be467f75d298eac65b5cfa2cc

 

[salami]

I felt compelled to glove up before liking this post.

 

[hokiecat]

I read this article and the one in The Athletic and came away very impressed by Clarke. He went overseas to a pro league, ended up handling his own business at 17-18, was a great teammate, and just overall did amazing things with his parents something like 8 time zones away. But you read some draft previews and there's talk of maturity issues or something. I just don't know what that is all about.

And his pro season was exactly what a prospective team would like to see-- guy struggles at first and then the light bulb comes on and he starts playing very well in the league. That's way better than a guy who starts off with a bang and then sorta tails off. The Kings lucked out having the 8th pick in a draft which is 9 deep at the top. The only downside to Clarke is being a right shot where the Kings have decent NHL depth but he's got a skill set that Roy and Walker cannot match.

 

[Statue4Deano]

More I read about this kid and the more video I watch, I'm starting to think he could be very very special. Like, Doughty's heir apparent special. Don't want to put too much pressure on him early but if he can improve his skating we could be looking at a cornerstone piece on the blueline.

 

[orpheus]

I am excited!

 

[Catcherman]

There's really no reason to believe that he won't develop as a skater. The Kings development system is light years beyond what was around when Robitaille started here.

The future can't come soon enough. There's so much talent in the Kings cupboards. We just have to keep the faith that Blake has surrounded himself with the right people to help him make the right decisions.

 

[Kurisu]

I'm a little confused at all the comments mentioning the need to improve his skating. Most of the articles I've read seem to be noting his skating as a plus and an asset.

 

[jgs]

with a little luck this kid will be on the Kings team tearing it up.

 

[salami]

I'm a little confused at all the comments mentioning the need to improve his skating. Most of the articles I've read seem to be noting his skating as a plus and an asset.

He skates knock-kneed...that's the only concern. It's either his skating style or a physical abnormality. One can be coached out of his game, the other you learn to live with. Regardless, he's a VERY GOOD skater. He just has a little imbalance when in a low stance because of the proximity of his knees. He's 4-way mobile, has a great first step and top end, FANTASTIC edgework and his backward skating is good not great. Again, totally coachable. Assuming these concerns are coached out of his game, he goes to from "very good" to "excellent" in the skating category. And that's another thing about Clarke...he's extremely coachable. He allegedly has elite level smarts so he'll pick up tweaks and apply them right away. A natural leader, hard worker, great skater, puck-rushing, incredible vision, high hockey IQ, PP QB, all of this in a big frame? It'll be interesting to watch his progression. Some scouting outlets had him number 1 or 2 overall considering his potential to hit his ceiling. One quote I read from an NHL scout was quoted in Hockey Prospect's draft book. "He's better than Drysdale at the same age". That's VERY encouraging to me.

 

[Statue4Deano]

He skates knock-kneed...that's the only concern. It's either his skating style or a physical abnormality. One can be coached out of his game, the other you learn to live with. Regardless, he's a VERY GOOD skater. He just has a little imbalance when in a low stance because of the proximity of his knees. He's 4-way mobile, has a great first step and top end, FANTASTIC edgework and his backward skating is good not great. Again, totally coachable. Assuming these concerns are coached out of his game, he goes to from "very good" to "excellent" in the skating category. And that's another thing about Clarke...he's extremely coachable. He allegedly has elite level smarts so he'll pick up tweaks and apply them right away. A natural leader, hard worker, great skater, puck-rushing, incredible vision, high hockey IQ, PP QB, all of this in a big frame? It'll be interesting to watch his progression. Some scouting outlets had him number 1 or 2 overall considering his potential to hit his ceiling. One quote I read from an NHL scout was quoted in Hockey Prospect's draft book. "He's better than Drysdale at the same age". That's VERY encouraging to me.

I'm sure all of this is true. However, if there weren't some concerns about his skating it's extremely unlikely that he falls to 8.

 

[Helvetica]

He skates knock-kneed...that's the only concern. It's either his skating style or a physical abnormality. One can be coached out of his game, the other you learn to live with. Regardless, he's a VERY GOOD skater. He just has a little imbalance when in a low stance because of the proximity of his knees. He's 4-way mobile, has a great first step and top end, FANTASTIC edgework and his backward skating is good not great. Again, totally coachable. Assuming these concerns are coached out of his game, he goes to from "very good" to "excellent" in the skating category. And that's another thing about Clarke...he's extremely coachable. He allegedly has elite level smarts so he'll pick up tweaks and apply them right away. A natural leader, hard worker, great skater, puck-rushing, incredible vision, high hockey IQ, PP QB, all of this in a big frame? It'll be interesting to watch his progression. Some scouting outlets had him number 1 or 2 overall considering his potential to hit his ceiling. One quote I read from an NHL scout was quoted in Hockey Prospect's draft book. "He's better than Drysdale at the same age". That's VERY encouraging to me.

ive been very curious about how much he's grown in the past 1-2 years because he looks like a kid that grew a bunch and is still getting used to his longer legs. He looks light on his feet, but also somewhat scrambly and unsure of his movements. Despite that, like you mentioned, he does seem to have great edgework and still manages to look quick out there. I mentioned it in his draft thread, but he totally reminds me of a giraffe learning to walk.

 

[salami]

I'm sure all of this is true. However, if there weren't some concerns about his skating it's extremely unlikely that he falls to 8.

Totally agree. If they drafted Edvinsson I’d be painting a different rainbow. At some point we need to trust the scouts, and the Kings scouting in Europe is supposedly first class. I guess we’ll have to wait and see what Bambi Donuts turns out to be.

 

[triplcrown]

Clarke's coach in Slovakia described his skating as "excellent".

Also, he could be 6'3" by now.

He will be fascinating to watch in camp.

I predict, with his super-high hockey sense and ever-growing frame, He makes the Kings at 19, in the fall of 2022.

 

[salami]

Clarke's coach in Slovakia described his skating as "excellent".

Also, he could be 6'3" by now.

He will be fascinating to watch in camp.

I predict, with his super-high hockey sense and ever-growing frame, He makes the Kings at 19, in the fall of 2022.

Agreed, but at the latest. This last year was huge for him, and he may very well earn a roster spot out of camp.

I was wondering if they picked up Edler to pair up with Clarke this year. Seems to follow the model of DD and the Bear.

 

[jt]

Some scouting outlets had him number 1 or 2 overall considering his potential to hit his ceiling.

I know Button had him at 2 a couple months ago, but what reliable scouting outlet had him at 1?

 

[MiketheKing]

I hope he's not a "frankensteined" bust, combining the size of Teubert and the upside offense of Hickey. Fingers crossed he's the real deal.

 

[salami]

I know Button had him at 2 a couple months ago, but what reliable scouting outlet had him at 1?

I honestly don't remember who it was, or whether or not it was a "reliable" scouting outlet. It was among the dozens of mock drafts or rankings I looked up in the run up to draft day. There's certainly a lot of noise out there, and I came across plenty of it. As you said, Button had him at 2, as did Draft Pro, Recruit Scouting and a handful of others. I wish I could be there for camp.

 

[hokiecat]

Totally agree. If they drafted Edvinsson I’d be painting a different rainbow. At some point we need to trust the scouts, and the Kings scouting in Europe is supposedly first class. I guess we’ll have to wait and see what Bambi Donuts turns out to be.

So what are your thoughts on Edvinsson? He seems a bit like fools gold from a couple summaries that I read. Hedman like size but makes some big mistakes moving the puck. Getting a huge LD would have been exciting but Clarke seemed to me (based on reading some scout sites) like the better and even safer pick.

 

[Bmrboy]

I hope he's not a "frankensteined" bust, combining the size of Teubert and the upside offense of Hickey. Fingers crossed he's the real deal.

Neither Teubert nor Hickey ever really had the 'IT' factor. I think Clarke will do well for us. I certainly think he's our second most valuable prospect, behind Byfield.

 

[triplcrown]

I know Button had him at 2 a couple months ago, but what reliable scouting outlet had him at 1?

Button compared him to Sergei Zubov, in terms of passing ability.