Report: Kings Could Make Shocking Move With Brandt Clarke
The 21-year-old defenseman, in his first full NHL season, has been productive with 24 points in 47 games while averaging 17:01 of ice time.
However, with Drew Doughty returning from injury, head coach Jim Hiller opted to leave Clarke out of the lineup, citing the need for a “reset.” Given that Clarke is second on the team in assists, his absence is puzzling for a team struggling to generate offense beyond Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe.
The Kings have lost eight of their last 10 games, and prioritizing veterans like Joel Edmundson and Jacob Moverare suggests that Clarke may not be viewed as essential to their immediate plans.
I almost hope the #GoKingsGo trade Brandt Clarke just so they can watch him be one of the elite defensemen in the league for years. Sometimes you just need that kind of mistake to wake you up a bit. pic.twitter.com/SbpX8rCM0W
— Puck Vision (@PuckVisionNHL) January 30, 2025
**Keep An Eye 👁️ On**
— Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) January 29, 2025
With the return of D Doughty to @LAKings lineup, D Clarke who leads the team in PTS by D appears to be a healthy scratch tonight. Perhaps Kings setting up a move with is ice time diminishing. #GOKINGSGO #HockeyX pic.twitter.com/rsFSFh3ses
The decision to bench Clarke for multiple games could potentially indicate making him a trade chip if management believes a move strengthens their playoff push, according to insider Kevin Weekes.
Clarke has already lost his second-pairing and power-play role to Jordan Spence, showing that Hiller and his staff may not fully trust him in critical situations.
"If the coaching staff doesn’t think Clarke is going to give them a better chance of winning, he won’t play," one analysis noted.
While the Kings remain in the thick of the Pacific Division race, their roster lacks offensive depth, and moving Clarke for an established forward could be an option if they decide to shake things up before the trade deadline, however, it seems unlikely.
Brandt Clarke this season:
— StatMuse Hockey (@statmusehockey) January 29, 2025
— 47 games
— 21 assists (leads Kings defensemen)
— 24 points (leads Kings defensemen)
— 20 takeaways (leads kings defensemen)
Healthy scratch. pic.twitter.com/D91QWjCKVK
Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff also downplayed the idea of Clarke being shopped but acknowledged that teams will inquire.
“I haven’t heard his name authentically in the mix,” Seravalli said, but he believes the situation is worth monitoring.
Clarke still holds high value as a young, offensive-minded defenseman, and teams in need of blue-line help may see this as an opportunity. Still, unless a blockbuster deal is made, it appears Clarke probably won't be going anywhere right now.
Photo Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
