***Preseason Game #4 GDT LA Kings vs. Anaheim Ducks 6:00pm on BSW***

[Nyssa42]

Gibson stopped a good number of dangerous Kings chances. Too bad Edler hit the post or Clarke would have another primary assist.

Forgot Fagemo played tonight until I saw him at end celebrating the win.

Yeah, I think he only had like 4 shifts?? I didn't see him until the 3rd period! (ok, looked it up - 3 shifts in the 1st, 4 in the 2nd, one of which was :14, and 5 in the 3rd for a whopping 8:52 of ice time)

The decision with Clarke looks more difficult with every game. He's definitely more than holding his own.

It's gonna be gut-wrenching if he only gets the 9 games, because he's going to be everyone's favorite player by then. That little spin-o-rama he did against the boards in the first period drew a gasp/wow! from the crowd. I can't imagine they would be giving him this many looks if they were only going to break our collective hearts.

 

[Dirtweazle]

Clarke is a tough one. He is definatly showing he can play in this league. Rough edges sure but his offence and vision are bar none the best i have seen in quite some time on this team. Problem is, where do you put him? Who on the right side drops down of 8, 3, 50? He will not be the 7th D man. If he was a leftie we would not be having this conversation. He can go to juniors with no problems except he can't be called back. I can totaly see him for his 9 games but no matter what he does he is back down. Unless it is so spectacular we trade (expendable) Durzi for Church (really sorry i brought this up) with Iafallo and '23 1st (for the money to work). Vilardi takes Ifos spot. Have about 1.5m (.5ish now) left in the bank. Bing bada boom!!

 

[Clif]

Yeah, I think he only had like 4 shifts?? I didn't see him until the 3rd period! (ok, looked it up - 3 shifts in the 1st, 4 in the 2nd, one of which was :14, and 5 in the 3rd for a whopping 8:52 of ice time)

Thanks for looking that up. On a night with strong offensive pressure just about everyone else was noticeable. He clearly needs someone who can really dish him the puck and it’s going to be hard for him to get ahead of several other players for a top six role.

Conversely, just about everything in Vilardi’s game looks improved. His defensive puck protection last night was a joy to see. He looks like he could still contribute in a bottom six role this season even if it doesn’t translate to high offense. Plus he could still get PP time with that net-front presence.

 

[Ice24]

There is plenty of time for Clarke to play in the NHL, however not this season.

 

[jgs]

If Clarke is ready, he should be on the team. He was a high pick and leaving him the minors will not do a thing to improve him.

 

[Bollocks]

So...what if the Kings loan Clarke into Europe? There have been a number of top-end defensemen who went directly from Europe into holding their own in the NHL in the past decade, with no or very limited adjustment period to the NA ice and style of play. Hedman, Josi, Dahlin, Heiskanen, Klingberg, Karlsson to name the most successful. Elitserien in particular seems to be an excellent pre-NHL proving ground.

 

[Statue4Deano]

If Clarke is ready, he should be on the team. He was a high pick and leaving him the minors will not do a thing to improve him.

The kid can play however the organization has the advantage of stashing him away and delaying the ticking time bomb of eventual free agent status. If you can push that back another year while icing a playoff team, you gotta stash the kid. Unless he takes a Cale Makar like jump in development he isn't going to be the difference between just making the playoffs and winning the Cup this season. So Blake should take advantage of his contract status while continuing his development process.

 

[Kurisu]

The kid can play however the organization has the advantage of stashing him away and delaying the ticking time bomb of eventual free agent status. If you can push that back another year while icing a playoff team, you gotta stash the kid. Unless he takes a Cale Makar like jump in development he isn't going to be the difference between just making the playoffs and winning the Cup this season. So Blake should take advantage of his contract status while continuing his development process.

This is a great point probably overlooked by most excited fans salivating at his offensive potential. Good GM'ing is so much more complex than casual analysis.