Opinion: Put Clarke Back on the Top Power Play

If you’re reading the headline of this article and thinking it’s the farthest thing from a bold statement… Well, that’s part of the point. That's how much of a no-brainer it feels like.

It’s not as if the LA Kings power play was scorching with Brandt Clarke controlling the blue line. Even with him as the quarterback, the Kings have struggled as a unit. However, with Clarke running the point, the Kings, at the very least, can slot their most effective shooters where they need to be.

The most effective one is, of course, Adrian Kempe, the Kings' top offensive weapon for the better part of four seasons. He is currently in Clarke's spot at the top of the power play set-up, where he is forced to be less of a shooter and more of a facilitator. Right out of the gate, this seems like a counterproductive move, as Kempe is clearly LA's best one-time shooter. Instead, he is now setting up one-timers instead of firing them.

His target on the left side is Alex Laferriere, who has had a wonderful start to the season but has thus far shown he is a much more impactful even-strength scorer.

Then there’s the issue of the Kings’ second-best power play weapon. To Kempe’s right is Kevin Fiala, who has scored several power play goals from the left side of the ice, where he can support at the blue line and fire while moving “downhill” toward the left circle.

It’s understandable to want a different look on a struggling power play, but Fiala has been so good for so long in the left side half wall position, that it feels like the Kings are creating new problems in an attempt to solve old ones.

And finally, there is Clarke himself. As a true facilitator, Clarke would be more impactful when playing with shooters.

Clarke is flanked by Phillip Danault and Trevor Moore on the second power play unit. While they are exceptional 5-on-5 players, both have been miscast on the man advantage, oftentimes looking uncomfortable with time and space. Danault specifically has been too stationary on the left side, waiting for lanes to open instead of creating motion to spread penalty killers out. Moore does create motion, but often prefers to skate into traffic and shoot in tight areas–a mostly successful formula for him at even strength, but ultimately not an ideal power play strategy.

While it's encouraging that the Kings are trying new things to bolster the fourth-worst power play in the league, the latest set of moves feels like changes for the sake of changes. LA's biggest PP issue remains their lack of a right-handed, playmaking forward down low, a void that hasn't been consistently filled since Gabe Vilardi was traded. Viktor Arvidsson performed admirably in that spot, but his availability was limited throughout his Kings career.

The case for putting Clarke back on the first power play unit isn’t only about Clarke himself. The top of LA’s power play umbrella is solid with Fiala, Clarke, and Kempe. The energy should be focused on the other elements that have yet to have the success the aforementioned three have had.