Kings Brandt Clarke continues to impress amongst 'makeshift' D-corps

The defensive unit the Kings have dressed this season is far from ideal. Their D-corps, on paper does not instill hope for a comfortable playoff berth.

The season is still early though, and looking at specific stats is highly relative at this point in the season. The Los Angeles Kings are tied for first in the league in goals scored by defensemen (11) with the Buffalo Sabres and the Winnipeg Jets. The number is buoyed by the three Joel Edmundson goals, almost halfway to his career high in goals (7) scored twice (2019-20: CAR, 2017-18: STL).

While Edmundson is standing out for scoring goals at a surprising rate, a young defenseman has made his mark during the season's first quarter.

Brandt Clarke was chosen, quite literally and figuratively. As the eighth overall selection in the 2021 NHL draft, he's the highest-drafted defenseman during Rob Blake's tenure as General Manager. In what will be Drew Doughty's final stretch of his career, Blake focused on a long-term replacement.

There isn't a single prospect that can fill Doughty's shoes. When a player of that caliber goes down due to injury, it opens up a void for players to take on more prominent roles, and perhaps, in Clarke's case, an opportunity to prove that he can thrive as a number one defenseman.

Through 17 games this season, Clarke has two goals, 11 assists, 13 points, and is a +1 while averaging just north of 19 minutes. In comparison, Doughty, through 17 games last season, had four goals, four assists, for 8 points, and a +4 while managing around 25 minutes a night.

Clarke has not been getting the TOI of a true number one defenseman, but has been producing as such regardless. In the recent matchup against the Calgary Flames, he set a career-high in TOI with 24:18. Coach Jim Hiller utilized the offensive defenseman in excess due to being down 2-0 for most of the game. The Kings D-corps have 11 goals, but it's likely an early season mirage for overall offensive capability.

The clear jump in Clarke's game in Doughty's absence has been a silver lining. He has stepped up and produced like a proper number one defenseman, becoming a key driver on the team's top powerplay unit.

When Doughty comes back, Clarke should undoubtedly run PP2 to give it some much-needed life.

It isn't all sunshine and roses, though. His weakness has been defending in his zone, amplified by his 18 PIM, which leads the team outside those who have dropped the mitts this year.

There are going to be warts in a young player's game. Cale Makar made mistakes early in his career, and still does on occasion.

Clarke is currently taking on a more significant role, and doing so on-the-fly. Thus far, he has certainly delivered.

If he can stay as productive when Doughty comes back, the LA blue line could start to look like a truly formidable unit.