Ben Shelley: Kings select Brandt Clarke with eighth-overall pick

I said it a couple weeks ago,that if we got clarke I'd be stoked.Im stoked!!! Cant wait to see his "knock kneed" skating style.good job gmrb

I said it a couple weeks ago,that if we got clarke I'd be stoked.Im stoked!!! Cant wait to see his "knock kneed" skating style.good job gmrb
- Dewey8

Agree. Eklund ALMOST fell to us, which would have been interesting to see if GMRB went with the forward over Clarke. Clarke looks like he'll be a PP monster. Also, in all the interviews I've seen, the kid has tons of confidence. To go to Slovakia to play during a pandemic shows his dedication and maturity. Really like this pick.

Agree. Eklund ALMOST fell to us, which would have been interesting to see if GMRB went with the forward over Clarke. Clarke looks like he'll be a PP monster. Also, in all the interviews I've seen, the kid has tons of confidence. To go to Slovakia to play during a pandemic shows his dedication and maturity. Really like this pick.
- Only_A_Ladd

Yeah I was watching that sj pick very closely thinking the same thing about eklund.im very happy with clarke 👍

I was hoping either Clarke or Guenther would be available to the Kings at 8 -- turns out they both were and the Kings had their choice.

Really excited about this pick. The Kings look pretty set on the right side, but Roy and Walker both have 3 years left on their contracts, which is right about the time I imagine the Kings will be competitive again.

Doughty
Roy
Walker

Doesn't exactly look like the group that wins the cup.

Doughty
Clarke
Roy

I can see that.

Also, I'll have to admit that the Kings drafting Clarke was about the only thing I've been right about over the last few days. I remain flummoxed over some of Seattle's selections -- and am generally disappointed in their ability to attain additional draft picks / assets through trades.

About a month ago, I watched a video of every shift in just one of his games and it looked almost like a highlight video. The kid showed patience, intelligence, awareness and just overall skill on every single shift. I was amazed and decided that I wanted him. When mocks came out that had him going as high as 2-6, though, I started to lose hope that he was a possibility and turned my attention to assuming that Edvinsson would be the pick. I'm thrilled that he fell.

Like Ben, I'm curious if they would've picked him over Eklund, but that's something that we may never know. We also may never know who Blake was willing to move up a few spots to get. Unless he comes out and says that it was Clarke, we can assume that it was someone else, though it seems like he was high on Clarke, too.

Anyways, this is the guy that I wanted and they got him, so I'm stoked.

About a month ago, I watched a video of every shift in just one of his games and it looked almost like a highlight video. The kid showed patience, intelligence, awareness and just overall skill on every single shift. I was amazed and decided that I wanted him. When mocks came out that had him going as high as 2-6, though, I started to lose hope that he was a possibility and turned my attention to assuming that Edvinsson would be the pick. I'm thrilled that he fell.

Like Ben, I'm curious if they would've picked him over Eklund, but that's something that we may never know. We also may never know who Blake was willing to move up a few spots to get. Unless he comes out and says that it was Clarke, we can assume that it was someone else, though it seems like he was high on Clarke, too.

Anyways, this is the guy that I wanted and they got him, so I'm stoked.
- Osprey

When Greg Maddux was young, someone took him aside and told him he'd never be a power pitcher. The advice he got was when you have the urge to go faster, go slower. Change your pace and control the tempo. Clarke's game embodies that. His pace is excellent. He gets space with really simple shimmies and halting movements. That gives him time and opportunity. I read that he was really tough to hit and lock up at Barrie. I hope it translates to the NHL. Kid might be a special player with that IQ.

Doughty
Clarke
Roy

I can see that.
- Cabbages and Kings

I can't see Roy being around when they're contenders again. He'll be 30-ish and there'll be kids pushing for his spot. I imagine that it'll be:

Doughty
Clarke
Faber/Grans

That'll be a really nice right side if the kids pan out.

Edit: Agreed, Ladd. His hockey sense or IQ seems to be really high.

Glad to hear so many positive comments about Clarke. Sounds like everyone is on the same page.

And I agree that if you had Faber and Grans to the equation, Kings are pretty deep at what is notoriously the most difficult position to fill (Right Handed D). I can see Roy/Walker being nice trade chips in a year or two if the kids prove they are ready.

Overall, I'd say Blake has drafted well -- and I think the Ardvidsson trade was a good deal. We'll see what trades Blake makes over the next year or two to really build the team in his vision.

I like his vision and reactions to the play in front of him,seems to telegraph alot of plays and be in the right spots to get the puck,or get off a pass.not a monster shot,but also not afraid to shoot.i like what I've seen and I hope his ceiling is a high as it seems to be.im totally happy with this pick,been looking forward to it for weeks.hell ya!!

Gmrb takes 2 C in 2nd round.pinelli and helenius.pinelli smaller skilled guy with good instincts and helenius is 6'6" big body,heavy game type center.stacking the odds down the middle for us

Pronman had Kirsanov his 2nd BPA on day 2, and Pinelli 10th. Wheeler had Kirsanov 50th overall, and Pinelli 24th on his final board. Don't mind drafting Brian Boyle Jr. in Helenius as a project guy.

Pleased with the draft.

Three A rated drafts in a row. 4 out of 5 A rated drafts in the past five years, with the only exception being the B-rated 2018 draft.

Yannetti and Blake have done really well since Blake took over as GM. Let's see if they can continue the solid work in UFA signings and trades next week.

Three A rated drafts in a row. 4 out of 5 A rated drafts in the past five years, with the only exception being the B-rated 2018 draft.

Yannetti and Blake have done really well since Blake took over as GM. Let's see if they can continue the solid work in UFA signings and trades next week.
- tkecanuck341

Agreed,drafts have been very solid and will keep quality players cycling thru our minor league and big club at almost every position.I am glad to see gmrb didn't jump on the big FA train and commit us to a big contract that could handcuff us in a few yrs when all these kids are coming into their own.job well done to the kings scouting and upper management imho.

I don’t get the Wings taking Edvinsson when they could have had Clarke. You could say LD over RD but you gotta take the best guy.

I don’t get the Wings taking Edvinsson when they could have had Clarke. You could say LD over RD but you gotta take the best guy.
- Minnyhock

Sometimes GM's draft for what they envision the team to be.ask Edmonton how picking the best player available worked out for them.