Brandt Clarke is frustrated with his role in LA and the Maple Leafs blue line problem just found its answer
Photo credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
Brandt Clarke is getting impatient with his role with the LA Kings, and if he needs a fresh look then the Maple Leafs are the perfect team to give him the chance.
Although they got into the playoffs, the Los Angeles Kings were quickly eliminated by the Colorado Avalanche; who took the series in a swift four games and headed to the Western Conference semi-finals.
It was a rough end to the legendary career of Anze Kopitar, and there are questions about whether or not names like Drew Doughty and how much Artemi Panarin has left in the tank in terms of being an elite talent.
Clarke's Conundrum: Why LA's best young defender is feeling slighted in California
But one name who has popped up in discussions recently is young defender Brandt Clarke. The 22-year old put in a solid season this year with the Kings, but it sounds like he is aiming for a lot heavier a load — and the Kings aren't acquiescing.
Clarke's name was brought up during Elliotte Friedman's 32 Thoughts podcast as he discussed the future of the Kings, and expressed that Clarke feels he isn't being given a real opportunity to be tested; and he may want a change of scenery:
He wants so much more responsibility; there's been times he's been frustrated; he has not allowed it to become an issue. The contract thing, that's where it can sometimes go sideways. We'll see where this one goes.
Clarke, 22, is a restricted free agent and is going to be looking for a huge pay raise from him $863,334 deal. He's going to be getting a long-term deal worth at least $5-6-million dollars per season, and LA has yet to really give him a solid offer.
Despite having 40 points in all 82 games for the Kings this year (8 goals, 32 assists), Clarke played less than 20 minutes a night (19:38) while names like Michael Anderson got more minutes, and he had players like Brian Dumoulin and Joel Edmundson creeping up on him.
He's getting pushed out by veterans who really shouldn't be given as many minutes as they are, and if Clarke is feeling slighted by his lack of opportunity he may request a deal.
Enter the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Toronto instantly replaces Morgan Rielly and gives Clarke all the responsibility he could want
A team who is desperate to find a replacement for Morgan Rielly, Clarke provides them with all the tools and assets necessary to not only replace him — but potentially be even better.
Clarke is a fairy large player at 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, and he's a right handed shot to boot. His playmaking and vision is second to none, and time slows down for him while he has the puck.
To put into perspective, Clarke had 61 points in 31 games for the Barrie Colts which included 23 goals. The kid is an offensive monster and is still years away from his prime. He's exactly the solution for Toronto's Reilly problem but they will need to pay handsomely.
First, they would need to break the bank to acquire his rights as the Kings aren't just going to let him go for nothing. You'll be looking at maybe Easton Cowan as a piece, but if not then most assuredly Ben Danford and potentially Noah Chadwick along with picks.
That's a tough sell especially with how good both young players are expected to be, but there is one way to do it without it hurting their pipeline (kind of).
With Clarke a restricted free agent, Toronto can present an offer sheet and put forth a mega-deal that LA has to really contemplate matching. Sure, you're giving up a 2027 second-rounder and their lack of assets prevent them from a middle ground but there is a price they can pay.
If they offer Clarke the maximum they can which is $4,680,076 per year, if they present a six-year deal, that equates to $28,080,456 total salary. The Kings still have Panarin's contract kicking in at $11-million and Adrian Kempe's at $10.625-million.
They also have a ton locked up already with Cody Ceci, Anderson, Dumoulin and Edmundson taking up a total of nearly $16.5-million plus Drew Doughty's $11-million and suddenly there's a lack of room — especially if they want to re-sign Scott Laughton too.
Clarke would instantly be the #1 defender on the team and he's easily get 21+ minutes a night, with power-play and penalty killing time. If he wants a chance to be the workhorse, Toronto is the best place to do it.
So with a frustrated young defender waiting for a chance to shine, it would behoove the Maple Leafs to get Clarke on the phone and see if he'd be willing to shoulder the load in hockey's biggest market.
How's that for responsibility?
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