Kings, Clarke Eye Extension as Young Defenseman Steps Into Bigger Role
When the Kings selected Brandt Clarke with the eighth overall pick back in 2021, the vision was clear: anchor the blue line for years to come. It took a little time-some back-and-forth between the NHL and AHL, a few growing pains-but now, at 22, Clarke is starting to look like the top-four defenseman Los Angeles was banking on.
And with restricted free agency looming this summer, the Kings are hoping to lock him in before things get to that point. Speaking recently after the Artemi Panarin trade, GM Ken Holland confirmed that talks are active, with both sides aiming to get a deal done before July 1.
That timing matters. Getting Clarke signed ahead of free agency would remove the risk of an offer sheet and give Holland clarity on how much cap space he’ll have heading into the offseason. And with Clarke’s next contract likely to carry a wide range of potential outcomes, that clarity could be crucial.
According to AFP Analytics, a short-term bridge deal-say, two years-could come in around $5 million annually. But if the Kings want to go long-term, locking Clarke up for seven years or more, the number jumps closer to $8 million per season.
And since eight-year deals are still on the table until mid-September, there’s even room for that figure to climb higher. That kind of swing in cap commitment could be the difference between adding a key UFA or standing pat.
Clarke’s performance is doing plenty to drive up his value. Last season, his first full year in the NHL, he posted five goals and 28 assists across 78 games.
He was used in a more sheltered role-just over 16 minutes a night, with a heavy dose of offensive zone starts-but he made the most of it. Even in the playoffs, where the Kings bowed out early against Edmonton, Clarke chipped in two goals despite seeing even less ice time.
This year, it’s a different story. Clarke has climbed into a steady second-pairing role, and his usage reflects that. He’s logging over 19 minutes per game now-third most among Kings defensemen-and while he’s still being deployed in offensive situations, the coaching staff is clearly trusting him with more responsibility.
Offensively, he’s already topped last year’s goal total with six and has 21 assists to go with it. He’s on pace to break the 40-point mark, which would be a significant milestone in just his second full season. That kind of production from a young blueliner, especially one still developing the defensive side of his game, is going to command attention-and dollars.
While the league is currently under a trade freeze, that doesn’t apply to contracts. Teams can still register deals, and with the Olympic break providing a bit of breathing room, don’t be surprised if Holland and Clarke’s camp use this window to hammer out the details.
The Kings have seen Clarke grow into a bigger role this season, and if they believe his trajectory is still pointing up, now might be the time to bet on him long-term. For a franchise looking to build a contender around a young core, locking in a rising defenseman like Clarke could be a critical piece of the puzzle.