Several young NHL defensemen are entering the 2026 season with bigger opportunities and higher expectations. Some have already flashed star potential, while others are finally getting the role needed to show what they can do. Here are three defensemen poised for a breakout season.
Hear from defenseman Brandt Clarke after he collected a goal and an assist in a preseason defeat against Utah.
Following the team’s pregame morning skate, Kings coach Peter Laviolette met with the gathered media to share thoughts on several topics heading into his squad’s first exhibition game at Crypto.com Arena.
How many of the players to grace the cover of each EA NHL video game going back to 'NHL 2000?"
While much of the talk coming into Kings camp thus far has been about the depth at center — and rightfully so, considering the retirement of their longtime captain a few months ago and several free agent signings in early July — perhaps not enough attention has been given to the defensive side of things quite yet.
The NHL has had an interesting new millennium. It was a league sans a salary cap when the 2000s started… and then the owners locked the players out for an entire season.
With training camp just around the corner, we are previewing each player on the LA Kings roster. Up next: Brandt Clarke! Birthdate: February 9, 2003 Birthplace: Nepean, Ontario Height: 6’2 Weight: 200 lbs Position: Defense Shoots: Right Draft: 1st round, 8th overall, 2021 NHL Draft To say Brandt Clarke had a good season would be an understatement.
Often times, when you look at a franchise’s golden years, there’s a series of occurrences that result in its ending. Both the Edmonton Oilers, and General Manager Stan Bowman, have seen this happen to them.
In a period of the NHL season where most general managers make their biggest mistakes, the best general managers are not only the ones who turn off their phones July 1, but the ones who comb the free-agent market for the best deals they can find.
The Los Angeles Kings have hired two former pros to their coaching staff. Hall of Fame defenseman Phil Housley, and 22-year pro Ray Whitney, will both join the Kings’ bench as assistant coaches per David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period.
After a weekend of chaos involving the 2026 NHL Draft and shocking trade news, the Los Angeles Kings have taken a major step in signing defenseman Brandt Clarke to a five-year contract extension with an average annual value (AAV) of $7.4 million. After a 2025-26 breakout season, extending Clarke solidified him as part of the team’s future.
Day one of the 2026 NHL Entry Draft came and went. The LA Kings made noise minutes before the draft started, announcing defenseman Brandt Clarke had been signed to a five-year extension, then drafting Elton Hermansson at 19th overall.
People will talk about the “Mount Rushmore” for a franchise, which is to say the four people, usually four players, that most define the franchise. Not always the four-best players, but the four that evoke the essence of the franchise.
Following a career-best 40 points this season, defenseman Brandt Clarke declined free agency and re-signed with the Los Angeles Kings on Friday for $37 million over five seasons.
While speculation is swirling that this offseason could be one that sees an offer sheet or two doled out to major restricted free agents, one name can officially be crossed off that list as a possibility.
The Los Angeles Kings have gotten a big item off their to-do list shortly before the start of the draft. According to a team announcement, the Kings have signed defenseman Brandt Clarke to a five-year, $37MM contract ($7.4MM AAV) through the 2030-31 season.
One of the most notable young players, especially during the playoffs, who comes to mind is Brandt Clarke, who just finished his first 40-point season and proved he is ready to handle top-four minutes for years to come.
One of the top priorities for the Los Angeles Kings this summer will be re-signing top, young defenseman Brandt Clarke. The 23 year old racked up 81 points in 185 NHL games on his entry-level contract, including 40 points while playing in all 82 games of this season.
Back in 2021, the Kings drafted defenseman Brandt Clarke eighth overall with the hopes that he could emerge as a key contributor on their back end. While there were some stops and starts early on in his career, he has now emerged as a legitimate top-four player.
Brandt Clarke has been an invaluable asset to the Los Angeles Kings this season. Despite the team’s struggles, Clarke has consistently generated scoring chances to keep his team competitive.
Brandt Clarke scored a tiebreaking power-play goal with 6:10 left in the third period and the Los Angeles Kings held on for a 2-1 win against the visiting Ottawa Senators on Monday night.
Teams around the league are reportedly calling about Los Angeles Kings defenceman Brandt Clarke, but according to James Murphy of RG.org, the Kings have no interest in moving the 22-year-old blueliner.
A front-office change brought sweeping change to the Los Angeles Kings’ blue line this summer.
Brandt Clarke has a very bright future ahead, but after recent comments from Michael Russo, speculation over that future in Los Angeles has begun. The
The Maple Leafs could set themselves up with their defenseman of the future via trade.
The Los Angeles Kings saw Drew Doughty make his 2024-25 regular season debut Wednesday night against the Florida Panthers, but the Kings fell flat and lost 3-0, their third straight loss and seventh defeat in their last nine games.
With the NHL just about a month into the season, many players are well on their way to a career year. Let's take a look at which players are having the biggest breakout seasons so far.
For the prospect sickos out there, you probably remember the 2018-19 Don Mills Flyers AAA U-16 squad. Led by eventual exceptional status forward Shane Wright, the team won 77 times.
The game of ice hockey should be filled with excitement and electricity. That was sometimes missing the last few seasons for the LA Kings. But over the first 11 games of the 2024-25 season, a 21-year-old Brandt Clarke has captivated Kings’ fans illuminating a dull franchise into delirium.
With the win, the Kings have 62 points and hold the top wild-card spot in the Western Conference.
It’s the new year, and we got updates on two LA Kings prospects, Brandt Clarke and Jakub Dvořák. Brandt Clarke was named AHL Rookie of the Month for December.
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