After starting his first full season at nearly a point-per-game pace, Kings young defenseman Brandt Clarke has cooled a bit offensively during the month of January. With just three assists over 11 games played this month, the 21-year-old rearguard was a healthy scratch earlier this week… and the internet was instantly abuzz with trade speculation and rumors ran like wild fire.
Mayor’s Manor has checked in with multiple sources within the organization, and from everything we’ve gathered over the past 48 hours, Clarke is not available — and we were told as much rather emphatically.
Nothing has really changed in the big picture. Players like Clarke, Quinton Byfield, Alex Laferriere, and their trio of goaltending prospects are viewed as LA’s future foundation. Even while continuing to evaluate their current roster options for 2024-25, none of those players currently under contract are considered ‘on the table’ in any potential deals.
IN DEPTH FEATURE ON LA KINGS GOALTENDING PROSPECTS
More specifically, Clarke’s situation is a work-in-progress. As hungry as fans are to see him play, he still has only played 72 NHL games. It’s all part of the growing pains. Yet, it’s certainly fair for observers to ask, ‘Why isn’t Clarke playing when the Kings are so starved for offense?’
Coach Jim Hiller has recently commented that he feels this rest period for Clarke (which has now been two straight games, coming in Florida and Tampa Bay) could serve as a good reset for his highly skilled rearguard. Beyond that, Kings management still view Clarke as a “very important player to the organization” and all involved remain highly confident he’ll get “back on track” soon.
Also of note has been the fact Clarke’s ice time has been reduced throughout the season. Early on, he was regularly playing 20+ minutes per game. Since mid-January, he’s been more in the 14-minute range. So, his usage is something to monitor once he does eventually return to the Kings lineup.
With any trade talk related to Clarke out of the way, the Kings do have an issue to address on their blueline, though.
As we reported last week, the initial plan was to carry nine defensemen once Drew Doughty returned from his extended injury. We covered that plan in detail here:
That article reviewed the most likely scenarios related to Kyle Burroughs, Andreas Englund, and Jacob Moverare — with one of those three most likely not on the roster coming out of the NHL’s two-week schedule break in February.
Mikey Anderson’s injury should cause management to take a brief pause. However, it most likely won’t impact the overall timing of what’s reviewed in the above article.
One other potential factor when it comes to trimming LA’s roster down to eight defensemen is the contract status of Vladislav Gavrikov. He’s set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. The Kings could certainly trade him to improve their offense. Yet, that doesn’t appear to be the direction as of now. The organization has been impressed with how the 29-year-old rearguard has elevated his game this season. Playing on his offside, in place of Doughty on the team’s top pair, Gavrikov has been a key part of the team’s league leading defensive numbers.
Add in the fact the salary cap projection for next season shows an even bigger increase than originally believed and Kings management should have the resources necessary to get an extension done with Gavrikov. We’ll have more on that with a salary cap review article soon.
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