Ice time, ice time, ice time.
That’s become the predominate topic surrounding Brandt Clarke this season.
Originally drafted in 2021, the Canadian defenseman got his first taste of NHL life during a nine-game try out in the fall of 2022. He averaged more than 13 minutes per game during that brief stretch and picked up two assists. The following season saw Clarke get into 16 games with the Kings, averaging the same 13:39 that he did the year prior.
That second stint came from January – March, with Clarke playing the bulk of that campaign in AHL Ontario. With the Reign, his offensive numbers shined through, posting 46 points (10G, 36A) in 50 games.
Which brings us to last year, his first full season in the NHL. Coach Jim Hiller gave Clarke game action in 78 regular season games. The 22-year-old defenseman posted 33 points (5G, 28A) and carried a respectable plus-13 rating. He also played 16:17 per game, an uptick from his two limited looks earlier.
All the talk coming into 2025-26 was positive. Clarke felt he put the necessary work in this summer and Hiller praised him repeatedly throughout training camp.
Over the first 11 games, he’s averaged 16:28 per night. Keep in mind, 15:03 of that has come at even strength.
Clarke is actually averaging more power play time than Doughty this season, 1:25 vs. 1:14.
Thus far, the Kings are averaging more than four penalties per game. Last time out, they played 10 minutes of the game against San Jose shorthanded. That should negatively impact Clarke’s total minutes, as the opportunity to play him is reduced because he doesn’t kill penalties.
Clarke has not logged one second of ice time this season when the Kings have been shorthanded.
“That’s it, that would be the first part,” Hiller said earlier today. “But we have to look for some more opportunities for him. He’s played really well. He’s had a couple games, like everybody has. But for the most part — and we’ve talked about it before — through the summer he had, the preseason, he’s really, really doing a nice job. We have to find some more ice time for him. Taking less penalties will be the start of that, there’s no question.
Clarke also had a huge goal against the Sharks on Tuesday.
“Great goal,” said Hiller.
“We’re coming home after a successful trip; those are always nice” Clarke added. “I’m ready to go tonight.”
Overall, he’s his usual happy self this week. Especially after seeing the Blue Jays take a 3-2 series lead on the Dodgers.
“Went to the World Series last night, it was awesome!” shared Clarke. “I was with [Alex] Turcotte and [Jeff] Malott. It was fun giving it to Turc too, because he was cheering for the Dodgers.”
As for his communication with Hiller, Clarke says things have continued to grow in a positive direction.
“It’s similar to last year, with maybe a couple more detailed points about where to go and [how to handle] situations that he wants me to read and wants me to capitalize on,” explained Clarke. “It’s been good. Communication’s been good, so I’ve been happy.”
And they’ve even been talking about — yes, more ice time.
“He says he’s really pleased with the way I’m playing,” Clarke stated. “He said more ice time is on the horizon. If I keep doing what I’m doing, everything is going to go well. That’s just where I’m at right now. That’s what I’m hearing and I’m happy to hear that. I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing.”
Turning to a young forward in a similar situation, Turcotte seems to be doing all the little things he needs to do to earn more ice time of his own — including winning faceoffs.
“Turc’s just done a good job everywhere,” Hiller said. “I recall a moment late in that [San Jose] game; he went down low in d-zone coverage, knocked the guy off the puck, stick lifted him, stole the puck, and broke us out. That, as well as face-offs and some of the other stuff, yeah — we have some trust and he delivered. Good for him.”
From the coach to the player, everybody is feeling the love right now.
“I’m excited to be back home and keep playing hockey, keep improving,” added Turcotte. “I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing, and hopefully good things happen.”
One of the players to recently join the team isn’t quite so young, Corey Perry is 40 years old and he’s been quite productive right out of the gate.
“I’m not really surprised,” admitted Turcotte. “I played against him when he was in Edmonton. He was obviously very effective and a very good player there. And I saw what he did in the playoffs. The way he plays, he doesn’t need speed to be really good and effective. He’s so good around the net, so smart, and just gets to the right spots. That’s why he’s doing what he’s doing. We’re different players, with different styles, but I’m very lucky to be playing with him. I’m learning a lot from him. If he’s scoring and producing, and I’m playing with him, I think that helps everybody and it helps me.”
Like Clarke, Turcotte also noted how is communication with Hiller has evolved this season.
“Obviously, we’re way more familiar with each other and we know each other a lot better, so it’s pretty easy to talk about things,” said the 24-year-old forward. “I think last year, maybe I was a little timid sometimes; just being a first-year player. Now, I feel pretty comfortable and he seems comfortable, so it’s been pretty easy.”
He went on to talk about there being more positivity around the Kings in general over the past few days.
“It definitely helps when you’re winning,” Turcotte noted. “There were definitely a couple games there where we didn’t think we played very well — like last game, for example. We still won, but we weren’t really too happy with the way we played. We can play a lot better; we’re still kind of trying to find our offensive game. Defensively, we’re playing really well. Overall, we’re not satisfied. There’s still a lot of room to grow, which is good because we’re still winning. But we can be better.”
Yep, just like the Dodgers.
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