The Los Angeles Kings have recalled top defenseman prospect Brandt Clarke and placed Tobias Bjornfot on waivers. Bjornfot has split time between the NHL and AHL this season, appearing in nine minor league games and only one game with the Kings. He has yet to score a point through any of the 10 matchups.
L.A. turns to their AHL team’s leading scorer in defenseman Clarke, who is currently in his first full professional season. The 20-year-old has 32 points in 30 AHL games, adding 30 penalty minutes and a +4. He has yet to play in the NHL this season, although he did receive nine NHL games last year before being sent back to the OHL’s Barrie Colts. Clarke recorded two assists in his first taste of the NHL but is still looking for his first career goal.
Clarke may have to wait to slot into the NHL lineup, though. Bjornfot has served as the team’s seventh defenseman, and no Kings defender has missed more than five games this season. It’s a solid blue-line that’s received plenty of impact in all three zones. Still, L.A. is bringing up a difference-maker in Clarke: the eighth overall selection in the 2021 NHL Draft.
Wednesday marks a special day for the Clarke family, as Brandt’s brother Graeme Clarke has been recalled by the New Jersey Devils as well. Graeme ranks second on his AHL team in scoring, recording 21 points in 27 games with the Utica Comets. The Clarke parents are currently en route to New Jersey from Ottawa to see Graeme make his expected NHL debut, though they may be prime for another road trip with Brandt now with an NHL team on the other coast.
Bjornfot could garner interest, The Sharks have nothing to lose by this roll of the dice, Arizona as well, Maybe even Seattle.
Seattle just lost Jaycob Megna on waivers too! Maybe some more incentive…
Certainly worth a shot for the Sharks. In
Arizona, he might be an upgrade on Kesselring. Or Travis Dermott is bound to be injured again and the Coyotes could use some depth. Bjornfot likely the seventh defender in Seattle but could be useful have in an emergency.
Could have sent Kaliev, Dolan or Spence down rather than lose Toby for nothing! Who is going to sit? Maybe dress 7 D? Our PP hasn’t looked good this year, so Clarke gets PP time!
Did Megna even play a single game in Seattle!
A big shout out to the undrafted Trevor Moore leading the Kings in goals!
For Toby to ever get more than a game-three of NHL time, 2-3 blueliners have to be out at one time for an extended period.. I like Toby, but he’s got Clarke and Moverare in front of him so…
If he gets claimed, maybe he can crack a lineup and finally realize his NHL dream because L.A. is just too deep for that to happen.
#GoKings
I would like to see Bjornfot join the Avalanche to help strengthen their young Defense core.
He’d do well there as JJ ages out.