Clarke sustained a shoulder injury during a prospects game, but the injury is not believed to be serious, Zach Dooley of the Kings' official site reports.
Clarke did not go with the majority of the Kings' regulars to Australia for their preseason exhibitions with the Coyotes. The 20-year-old defenseman should be able to get in some game time once the Kings return stateside, but this injury could be the difference between him making the roster out of camp and heading to AHL Ontario.
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Kings' Brandt Clarke: Not going to Australia
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Clarke (undisclosed) will not accompany the Kings to Australia, John Hoven of SiriusXM NHL Network Radio reports.
The Kings and Coyotes will play a pair of preseason games in Melbourne next weekend. Clarke suffered an undisclosed injury that will keep him out of action for 7-10 days without contact. The first-round pick, eighth overall in 2021, is expected to challenge Jordan Spence for the bottom spot on the Kings' defensive corps. Clarke had 23 goals and 61 points in only 31 games for OHL Barrie in 2022-23. Clarke will have plenty of fantasy value in the coming years but likely will need some time in the minors at some point this season.
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Kings' Brandt Clarke: Heads to OHL
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Clarke was reassigned by Los Angeles to OHL Barrie, per CapFriendly.
Clarke just completed a stint with Team Canada where he scored two goals and eight points in seven games en route to a gold medal in the 2023 World Juniors. He also has two assists in nine games with the Kings as well as a goal and an assist in five contests with AHL Ontario this season. Los Angeles took Clarke with the No. 8 pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, and the 19-year-old has the potential to eventually play a big role in the NHL.
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Kings' Brandt Clarke: Loaned to Team Canada
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Clarke was loaned by Los Angeles to Team Canada on Wednesday so that he can play in the 2023 World Junior Championship.
Clarke has two assists in nine games with Los Angeles this season. He last played for the Kings on Nov. 1, but Clarke was with AHL Ontario on a conditioning loan from Nov. 13-27. During that AHL stint, he recorded a goal and an assist in five contests. Allowing Clarke to work with Team Canada will give the 19-year-old another opportunity to get into some games rather than continue to be a healthy scratch with the Kings.
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Kings' Brandt Clarke: Continues to be scratched
Rotowire
Clarke has been a healthy scratch in three straight games since being recalled from his conditioning loan in the AHL on Nov. 27.
Clarke had a goal and an assist in five AHL games. In the NHL though, he hasn't played since Nov. 1. The 19-year-old has a lot of offensive potential, but Clarke might not be able to secure a regular spot with the Kings this season.
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Kings' Brandt Clarke: Back from conditioning loan
Rotowire
Clarke was recalled from his conditioning loan with AHL Ontario on Sunday.
Clarke notched one goal and one assist in five games with the Reign after he was sent down by the Kings on Nov. 13. He has two assists, 11 shots on goal, 14 blocks and three hits in nine appearances with Los Angeles this season.
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Kings' Brandt Clarke: Still on conditioning loan
Rotowire
Clarke is still with AHL Ontario on a conditioning loan.
Despite a previous report that had him back in the NHL, Clarke is still on the roster of AHL Ontario. He was sent down a week ago to get some playing time in the minors. Clarke appeared in his second game with the Reign on Saturday versus Henderson.
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Kings' Brandt Clarke: Back on roster
Rotowire
Clarke was called up from AHL Ontario on Saturday, Kate Shefte of The Seattle Times reports.
Clarke is listed as a healthy scratch for the Kings, indicating he's back with the big club. He hasn't played an NHL game since Nov. 1, and with eight defensemen on the roster, he's unlikely to draw in regularly any time soon.
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Kings' Brandt Clarke: Sent to AHL
Rotowire
Clarke was sent down to AHL Ontario Sunday.
Clarke had been a healthy scratch in seven of the Kings' last eight games. The 19-year-old defenseman has logged a pair of assists in nine games with Los Angeles. Clarke still has long-term potential, though it appears he'll need some more development in the AHL.
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Kings' Brandt Clarke: Spending time in press box
Rotowire
Clarke has been a healthy scratch in six of Los Angeles' last seven games.
Clarke has two assists, 14 blocks and three hits in nine games while averaging 13:39 of ice time when he has been in the lineup this season. If he plays in one more game then the Kings will be burning the first season of his entry-level contract, so that might be why they've scratched him so many times recently. If Los Angeles decides not to make this season the first of Clarke's contract, then he'll eventually be returned to OHL Barrie.
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Kings' Brandt Clarke: Hands out helper
Rotowire
Clarke recorded an assist, two hits and two blocked shots in Tuesday's 4-2 win over the Lightning.
Clarke picked up his second helper in three games when he set up Blake Lizotte on what was the game-winning goal in the second period. Despite the newfound success on offense, Clarke has exceeded 15 minutes of ice time in just two of his seven games so far. The 19-year-old defenseman will likely continue to be eased into the NHL on the third pairing. He's added 11 blocked shots, seven shots on net, six PIM and a minus-1 rating.
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Kings' Brandt Clarke: Gets first NHL point
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Clarke recorded his first career NHL point in Thursday's 6-1 loss to Pittsburgh.
Clarke assisted on Carl Grundstrom's goal. The marker came at 17:32 of the third period when the fate of the game was already decided, so it's not the most memorable way to get your first point, but it's at least some small silver lining. Clarke is a high-end prospect, but the rookie defenseman has been used sparingly in the early stages of the season. He set a new personal best with 17:10 of ice time Thursday and has averaged 13:40 through five games.
