Russell Morgan 
4. Brandt Clarke – 18 y/o – D – 2021 Round 1 #8 overall
Previous ranking: NR
The LA Kings have had a straightforward philosophy when it comes to drafting the last few years. Take the best player available. And that is precisely what they did in the 2021 NHL Draft when they took right-shot defenseman Brandt Clarke with the eighth overall pick. LA’s depth of talent on the right side of the defense is vast. But when Clarke fell to number eight, the Kings had no choice but to select him.
Sure, Owen Power, who was taken first overall by the Buffalo Sabres, has all the makings to be the best all-around defenseman to come out of this year’s selection process. But Brandt Clarke has more offensive talent and is the exact type of player needed to fill a void on LA’s blueline.
With the number of unknowns coming into the 2021 draft, there is a chance, even though he fell to eighth overall, Brandt Clarke could be the best overall player to be selected.
Tony Ferrari The Hockey News
“This may sound hyperbolic, but Clarke very well could be the steal of the top-ten in last year’s draft. The cerebral blueliner emits confidence from his game that many players never achieve. His ability to change the game with his offensive instincts makes him a threat to create offense every time he’s on the ice. His skating is criticized, but his actual mobility around the ice is quite good despite the aesthetically funny stride at times. Clarke diagnoses play at both ends of the ice at a high level with an ever-improving defensive game. He gives the Kings the one thing their prospect pool was lacking – a true game-breaker on the backend. His passing is silky smooth, reading through levels of the opposing defensive structure. The young Canadian just processes the game at a level that his opponents often do not.”
HockeyProspecting.com Comparisons
When you watch Clarke play hockey, it’s easy to notice the immense talent he brings to the ice. His skating ability, his on-ice awareness, and his playmaking prowess are striking. But what separates him from his peers is his charisma and enthusiastic personality on and off the ice.
That personality is precisely what you need in a teammate, and it’s what we’ve seen from Drew Doughty throughout his career in Los Angeles. It’s infectious.
Watch for Clarke this season to dominate in the OHL playing for the Barrie Colts. And if all goes well for him, I wouldn’t be surprised if we see him roaming the LA blueline come the 2022-23 NHL season.